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2025 hajj: NAHCON, Saudi company amend contract agreement

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2025 hajj: NAHCON, Saudi company amend contract agreement

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Mashariq Al Dhahabia, the Saudi Arabia contracted to serve Nigerians Pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj, have signed an amended contract agreement. 

Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, the Chairman of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman Saleh, said the amended agreement would mean Mashariq Al Dhahabia would no longer cater for the 95,000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria.

Rather, the company would take care of 52,000 pilgrims that the commission anticipates would partake in the exercise.

Daily Trust had reported that Mashariq Al Dhahabia threatened to sue NAHCON for breach of contract owing to the commission contracting other companies to cater for Nigerian pilgrims in Mashair, the five days of the Hajj rituals performed at tents in Muna, Muzdhalifa and Arafah.

The company had claimed that NAHCON only allowed it to register 26,287 on Saudi Arabia’s NUSUK system for international pilgrims’ services, while calling for a meeting to dialogue on the breach between 20 days of its letter, a failure would resort to a court arbitration.

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But NAHCON responded that it split the number of pilgrims the company would serve during the pilgrimage due to some operational challenges it identified and to prevent monopoly in Hajj affairs.

Speaking at the press briefing, the chairman said Mashariq Al Dhahabia, led by its CEO, Muhammad Hassan, visited Nigeria for a courtesy visit and to sign the amended agreement.

“Everybody can clearly see that there is no way we can get the 95,000. So, the registered pilgrims must now be included in the agreement instead of the 95,000 we are looking forward to. So it calls for amendment because it has been quoted in the previous agreement that we are coming with 95,000 pilgrims, which is not possible.

“So, now that they have closed the registration of pilgrims and space from Saudi Arabia, we are able to just do only 52,000. So that’s the only amendment we did in the agreement, just to quote the real figure we will be having at the Mashair this time around.”

He also assured all intending pilgrims from Nigeria this year that NACHON had completed all the arrangements and would conduct a smooth and successful Hajj operation “by the grace of Allah.”

On his part, Hassan said the meeting was to improve the relationship between the two entities and to engage in strategies that would best serve Nigerian pilgrims.

He added that both parties had settled all contractual agreements.

 

2025 hajj: NAHCON, Saudi company amend contract agreement

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Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

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FCT Police Command Spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine

Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has clarified that a sexual assault case involving Ebunoluwa Fatoyinbo is not connected to the family of President Bola Tinubu.

This clarification comes after widespread social media reports claimed Fatoyinbo is the sister of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son. According to the reports, Oscar Ilochi allegedly assaulted Fatoyinbo while she was exercising alone in a gym basement, prompting an investigation that includes reviewing the facility’s CCTV footage.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, confirmed that the command has launched an investigation based on a formal complaint filed by Fatoyinbo. However, she emphasised that the police have not established any familial link between Fatoyinbo and the Tinubu family.

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“The FCT Police Command is aware of a circulating publication on social media alleging that the Command has commenced an investigation into a case of sexual assault involving Miss Ebunoluwa, purportedly referred to as the sister of Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement read.

“The Command wishes to clarify that a formal complaint of sexual assault was indeed lodged by Miss Ebunoluwa Mitchell Fatoyinbo against one Oscar Ilochi, a resident of the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.”

Adeh urged the public, including media outlets and social media users, to verify information before publication and rely on official police channels for updates on ongoing investigations.

 

Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

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Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

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Governor Mohammed Bago

Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has reversed his controversial directive ordering the arrest of individuals with dreadlocks, following widespread backlash from the public and civil rights advocates.

Bago had earlier instructed security agencies to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks across the state, linking the hairstyle to rising cult-related activities and insecurity, particularly in Minna, the state capital.

“Rascality in Minna: anybody that you find with a dreadlock, arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment, it’s fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” Bago had declared during a public address.

In addition to the dreadlocks directive, Bago also announced a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations from 6pm to 6am, as part of efforts to end violent crimes.

He also threatened to demolish any house found to be housing criminals or drug dealers, emphasising that his administration will “apply maximum force to restore order.”

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The governor’s early statements, notably the one targeting people with dreadlocks, provoked widespread condemnation on social media and from members of the public, who accused him of encouraging discrimination and lacking a thorough understanding of effective crime-fighting techniques.

In response to the anger, Bago reaffirmed his position on Wednesday at a ceremony in Minna, declaring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks.

So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.

The state governor went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.

He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”

Bago insisted that law-abiding residents are not at risk, claiming that the crackdown is primarily directed at criminal elements who utilize “cult” insignia, such as dreadlocks, to conceal their operations and elude law enforcement.

Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

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Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos

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Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin

Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos

A 16-year-old kid named Mustapha was killed by a stray bullet during a suspected cult clash in the Oyingbo area of Ebute Metta, Lagos State, on Monday.

Chronicle NG gathered that the incident happened during a peace walk sponsored by several young people to address escalating cult-related violence in the town.

It was reported that the walk had hardly ended when an argument erupted between them.

A resident, who talked to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, claimed the fight escalated when a suspected cultist pulled out a pistol and shot indiscriminately, injuring Mustapha with a stray bullet.

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Another resident told reporters that the teenager was not affiliated with any cult group.

“Mustapha just came out to support the walk. He was not part of any gang. He is a calm and respectful boy. He was taken to the hospital after the bullet hit him, but he died on the way,” the source said.

The incident was said to have caused chaos in the community, while the event ended abruptly.

Meanwhile, our correspondent reported that one of the organisers, who was struck by a gunshot, is in critical condition.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin had yet to comment on the incident at the time of filing this report.

 

Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos

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