22/10/2025
PRESS RELEASE
RE: MALICIOUS PUBLICATION AND FALSE ALLEGATIONS BY NEWSPOINT NIGERIA AGAINST NAHCON CHAIRMAN
The attention of the Office of the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has been drawn to a reckless, defamatory, and entirely fabricated report published by Newspoint Nigeria on Monday, October 21, 2025, titled “How NAHCON Chairman Used DSS To Detain News Point Nigeria’s Editor for Exposing Corruption, Pro-Shettima Reports.”
The article is a work of fiction designed to malign the character of the Chairman and undermine the integrity of the Commission. We categorically and unequivocally deny all allegations contained within it.
It is imperative to set the records straight for the Nigerian public, particularly the Muslim Ummah whom We serve.
For the record:
1. The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, did not at any time order, direct, or request the arrest of any Journalist or Media Practitioner, whether through the Department of State Services (DSS) or any other security agency. The Chairman has not and would not use State apparatus to intimidate journalists. We challenge News Point Nigeria to provide any credible evidence of their Editor's alleged detention and the Chairman's involvement.
2. The Publication ’s repeated claims of “corruption” within NAHCON are recycled falsehoods. The Chairman has demonstrated commitment to due process and transparency in governance, Contrary to allegations of defiance, records show the Chairman has engaged with appropriate government channels regarding any official inquiries. The Commission respects the work of all Regulatory and Anti-Corruption Agencies and will continue to cooperate with them through proper channels.
3. The allegations of "disrespect and coordinated attacks" against His Excellency the Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON are entirely fabricated and unethical.
The Chairman maintains a professional, respectful relationship with the Office of the Vice President and all government institutions. The claims of reporting the Vice President to President Tinubu are made-up with no basis.
4. The report further mentioned one individual, described as “a Senior Journalist and former Managing Director of Radio Kano,” and falsely linked him to the Commission. For clarity, the said individual is neither a staff member nor an appointee of NAHCON, and he does not represent the Commission in any capacity. It is therefore misleading for News Point Nigeria to associate his alleged private actions or statements with the Commission. The Publication also contradicts itself by admitting that the individual approached the Editor “for reconciliation,” while at the same time accusing NAHCON of resorting to “threats and intimidation.” Such inconsistency exposes the fabrication and lack of editorial due diligence in the report. And raises concerns about reliability.
5. NAHCON has maintained open channels with all Media Organisations and has always welcomed fair and responsible journalism. However, deliberate attempts to malign the image of the Commission or its leadership under the guise of press freedom will not be condoned and We will pursue resolution through media industry bodies and other appropriate administrative channels.
6. The Commission urges the Public to disregard the said publication and similar reports that appear intended to sow distrust and undermine the integrity of Chairman/CEO, the Commission or the ongoing reforms in Hajj administration.
This latest article is not an isolated incident, but part of a documented and sustained campaign to tarnish the image of this Commission through falsehoods and coordinated blackmail by the said newspaper. For over a year, We have been subjected to a relentless stream of baseless allegations and doctored evidence by Newspoint, all published without affording us a fair hearing or the right to reply. This obsessive pursuit clearly violates the fundamental journalistic principles of accuracy, fairness, and impartiality. fails to meet the most fundamental standards of ethical journalism as outlined in both the Nigerian Press Council Code of Ethics and international journalism standards. Which requires Media outlets to give Persons accused of wrongdoing “an opportunity to respond” prior to publication. Such evidence is absent from the article and all other negative articles published by the said Media.
Our focus remains on serving Nigeria pilgrims and we shall accord all media outlets their ethically deserved cooperation at all times.
Ahmad Muazu
Technical Assistant (Media)
To the Chairman/CEO, NAHCON
Abuja.
October 21, 2025
