The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refuted allegations that over 600 Nigerian pilgrims remained in Saudi Arabia after performing the lesser Hajj, also known as Umrah.
The claims were made by former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, who expressed concerns on his official X (formerly Twitter) account about the potential for stricter visa regulations by Saudi authorities due to the alleged overstay.
Sani’s post suggested that the refusal of these pilgrims to return to Nigeria could lead to a tightening of visa rules by the Saudi government, potentially affecting future travel for other Nigerians.
“Over 600 Nigerians who travelled to Saudia for lesser Hajj refused to return and this will compel the Saudi authorities to tighten their visa rules. Many of those who want to travel will likely be tossed,” Sani wrote.
In response, NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, categorically denied the claims. She stated that there is no official record of such incidents from either the Saudi or Nigerian authorities.
“We do not have such correspondence or information from Saudi Arabia, neither did we receive such information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Immigration Services of both countries,” Usara clarified in a statement to the press.
News About Nigeria reported that President Bola Tinubu dismissed the former Chairman of the Hajj Commission, Jalal Arabi, due to accusations of mismanagement and the alleged diversion of N90 billion in government-provided Hajj subsidy funds.
Arabi’s sack comes amid an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of N90bn in Hajj subsidies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Arabi and another official, Abdullahi Kontagora, in connection with the alleged fraud.
A substantial sum, SR314,098, was recovered from Arabi and other senior officials.
The EFCC claimed that Arabi and others fraudulently received payments above the required operational expenses.
Arabi was replaced by Professor Abdullahi Usman as the new Executive Chairman.
The new appointee, Professor Abdullahi Usman, is a distinguished scholar with qualifications from renowned Islamic centres of excellence.
He has a strong background in Hajj operations, having successfully managed the Kano State Pilgrims Board and the largest state pilgrims’ contingent.
The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
