The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has said Alhaji Sibamay Zakaria, widely known as Alhaji Papa Angola, is not a member of the Ghana Hajj Board and does not represent the office in any official capacity.
The clarification was issued after the Ghana Police Service arrested Zakaria in connection with a viral video showing him assaulting a suspect who was handcuffed and in police custody.
In a statement dated 13 August 2026, PAOG said: “Alhaji Sibamay Zakaria who is populaly called Alhaji Papa Angola is NOT a member of the Ghana Hajj Board and does not represent PAOG in any official capacity.”
The office added: “Any reports linking him to the Hajj Board are inaccurate.”
The Police said Zakaria remained in custody to assist with investigations and would be brought before the court.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are also being examined by the Police Professional Standards Bureau. The Ghana Police Service said anyone found to have been culpable would face the appropriate disciplinary process.
Zakaria’s arrest came after Police earlier announced a manhunt for a man seen in a viral video verbally abusing and threatening Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, who is also known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei.
The PAOG clarification specifically rejected reports associating Zakaria with the Ghana Hajj Board, as Police investigations continued into the videos and the events shown in them.
Separate investigations into Prophet Mohammed videos
The arrests took place against the backdrop of separate Police investigations into videos containing comments about Prophet Mohammed.
A 35-year-old Imam, Masud Abdullah, was arrested over a video in which he allegedly urged his audience to kill people who insult Prophet Mohammed.
In a related case, the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team arrested Apostle Daniel JY Adjei after he appeared in a video using derogatory language directed at Prophet Mohammed.
The Police Service has stressed that freedom of religion and freedom of expression do not permit people to incite violence or encourage others to harm anyone.
It has also said its investigations will continue and that those found responsible will be dealt with through the relevant legal or disciplinary procedures.
The Ghana Hajj Board and PAOG have therefore sought to make clear that Zakaria’s alleged actions should not be interpreted as having been carried out on behalf of either organisation.
The statement from PAOG followed reports linking him to the Hajj Board after the viral footage circulated and after his arrest was announced by Police.
Zakaria is expected to appear before the court, while the Professional Standards Bureau continues its examination of the conduct captured in the video and the wider circumstances of the case.
