Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday carried out a raid at the headquarters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja, arresting key personnel over allegations of fraud. The EFCC team arrived at the commission’s headquarters in a white bus at exactly 11 a.m. and immediately took several staff members into custody.
Among those arrested was the commission’s spokesperson, Fatimah Usara, along with three other staff members whose identities have not been disclosed at the time of writing. The operation was conducted with a valid warrant of arrest, confirming the legitimacy of the action.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the arrests are connected to an ongoing probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds, particularly concerning the management of finances intended for the Hajj operations. This development comes on the heels of a previous investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which had also raided NAHCON’s headquarters over allegations of mismanagement of the N90 billion intervention fund allocated for the 2024 Hajj.
The EFCC's actions are part of the larger effort to ensure accountability and transparency in the handling of public funds, particularly in relation to the national Hajj pilgrimage operations. The investigations into NAHCON are expected to continue as both agencies, EFCC and ICPC, seek to clarify the details of the alleged financial discrepancies.
This latest arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to address corruption at various levels of public institutions. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the future management of the Hajj program and for the individuals involved.
