{
  "id": 8967901,
  "title": "Benue suspends Muslim pilgrims board leadership over hajj slot, financial irregularities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/benue-suspends-muslim-pilgrims-board-leadership-over-hajj-slot",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T17:38:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/benue-suspends-muslim-pilgrims-board-leadership-over-hajj-slot-financial-irregularities/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Benue State government has suspended the Chairman and Executive Secretary of its Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. According to the Daily Post Nigeria, the suspensions are over allegations of Hajj slot and financial irregularities, as well as the misuse of government palliatives.\n\nThe suspended officials are Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, Chairman of the Board, and Alhaji Ahmadu Alhassan, Executive Secretary of the Board. The Benue State Executive Council approved their three-month suspension, effective from September 21, 2026.\n\nThe government has appointed Hon. Ahmed Tijani Adamu Esq. as Acting Chairman and Mr. Adamu Salihu Babi as Acting Executive Secretary to ensure continuity in the running of the Board. The suspensions are to allow for a thorough investigation into the allegations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Benue suspends Muslim pilgrims board leadership over hajj slot, financial irregularities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/benue-suspends-muslim-pilgrims-board-leadership-over-hajj-slot-8968606",
        "published": "2026-09-21T17:44:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}