The Nigerian Hajj Media Support Team (NHMST) has cautioned the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and private tour operators against actions capable of truncating the 2025 Hajj operations.

Besides, the NHMST, a pressure group monitoring and reporting on the Hajj exercise in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, equally vowed to “expose individual(s) and official saboteurs conniving to frustrate preparations for this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.”

In a signed statement by National Coordinator Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta, in Kaduna on Tuesday, NHMST expressed worry over failed attempts by some states and tour operators to obstruct arrangements for the seamless spiritual exercise being perfected by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The media professionals, passionate about ensuring Nigerian intending pilgrims get value for resources expended on the religious practices at the holy land, vowed to resist all impending sabotage against the Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman-led commission.

NHMST referenced the recent outcry over the alleged service provider’s contract cancellation by NAHCON, and issues related to Hajj fare and dollar rate being orchestrated by selfish-minded individuals within the industry to blackmail the leadership of NAHCON.

The Hajj monitoring group reminded those intending to constitute a clog in the wheel of a seamless 2025 Hajj under any disguise that they should prepare for the repercussions. NHMST’s strongly worded statement read in parts: “NHMST is committed to reporting and monitoring the general activities of Hajj and ensuring pilgrims from Nigeria get fair treatment.

“Our attention, however, is drawn to unfolding developments regarding a purported cancelled contract with one of the Saudi-based service providers by NAHCON.

“Though those that orchestrated the heat successfully attracted the much attention they so desired, unfortunately, it was a total failure because the narrative could not hit the target. They failed because it was not NAHCON that cancelled the supposed contract.

“Simply put, many right-thinking individuals would wonder what could have warranted some state boards to trigger the issue, generating unnecessary tension, if they are also clear about the contract. How does the cancellation of a contract in Saudi Arabia prevent intending pilgrims from going for Hajj?

“Although those perpetrating the evil act know well that NAHCON has the statutory responsibility to cancel any contract undertaken to ease the welfare of pilgrims during the spiritual exercise, NHMST will not fold its arms and allow any element to cause national embarrassment to our intending pilgrims.

“It is high time the saboteurs change their strategy because Professor Usman (Pakistan), the new sheriff in town, is presently in charge of the Hajj commission. He has promised to entrench transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj affairs in Nigeria. While holding NAHCON to its word, NHMST would not allow any foreign body to derail Hajj activities. It cannot be business as usual.”