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Muharram moon sighted, Saudi, Nigeria mark start of Islamic calendar year
Muharram moon sighted, Saudi, Nigeria mark start of Islamic calendar year
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has declared Thursday, June 26, 2025, as the first day of Muharram, the start of the Islamic New Year 1447 AH, following the sighting of the crescent moon on Wednesday evening, Dhul Hijjah 29.
The Supreme Court issued its ruling after the Crescent Sighting Committee validated reliable testimony verifying the moon’s sighting.
The Saudi Press Agency quoted the court’s statement, which included prayers for King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and a call for Muslim unity in the year ahead.
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The confirmation was also shared on social media by @HaramainInfo, the official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, which posted on Wednesday:
“1st Muharram 1447 – Thursday, 26 June 2025. Crescent for the new Islamic year was sighted this evening. The new Hijri year begins tomorrow.”
In Nigeria, the National Moonsighting Committee, the official account of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also confirmed the date in a post on X on Thursday midnight, stating:
“His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto has declared Thursday, 26/6/2025 as 1st Muharram 1447 AH. The crescent for the new Islamic year and the month of Muharram was SEEN today.”
The important day of Ashura, which falls on the tenth of Muharram, will be commemorated on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Ashura has great religious importance, particularly for fasting and reflection among Muslims worldwide.
Muharram moon sighted, Saudi, Nigeria mark start of Islamic calendar year
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Plateau Attackers Spoke Fulfulde, Came on Motorbikes, Ex‑Rep Says
Plateau Attackers Spoke Fulfulde, Came on Motorbikes, Ex‑Rep Says
Former House of Representatives member Dachung Bagos has revealed chilling details of the recent massacre in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, Plateau State, describing it as a planned and coordinated attack carried out by assailants who spoke Fulfulde and moved strategically on motorbikes. The incident, which claimed over 30 lives, has raised urgent questions about intelligence and security failures in the state.
Bagos, who represented Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, told Channels Television’s Politics Today that the attackers appeared well-trained and organized, targeting victims with precision before fleeing. He noted that the attack occurred despite prior warnings and arrests of individuals who had threatened violence after Ramadan, highlighting possible lapses in security intelligence.
“What happened yesterday was a planned attack,” Bagos said. “The government had apprehended people who warned Plateau would not have peace, yet the threat materialized. So what went wrong?”
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Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen moved in coordinated groups on motorcycles, spoke Fulfulde, and knew their targets and escape routes, suggesting prior reconnaissance. Bagos dismissed claims that the attack was a farmer-herder clash, insisting it was designed to provoke unrest.
He criticised security agencies for the lack of transparency, noting that 24 hours after the massacre, no operational statement had been released. Bagos called for state policing as a long-term solution, arguing that localized security forces could track movements and prevent attackers from operating with impunity.
The former lawmaker also stressed the need for justice and accountability, urging that suspects be prosecuted transparently within the state, with evidence presented publicly. He warned that continued impunity has emboldened armed groups, undermining trust between citizens and security forces.
Bagos described the broader pattern of violence in Plateau as largely economically driven, linked to land and resources rather than religion, and condemned all forms of violence regardless of victims’ identity. “No matter who you are—Muslim, Christian, Fulani—you don’t have the right to take any life. Justice must work for everyone,” he said.
The Plateau State Government imposed a curfew in Jos North to prevent retaliatory violence and allow security agencies to restore order. Residents and community leaders have called for urgent action to improve security and bring perpetrators to justice.
Plateau Attackers Spoke Fulfulde, Came on Motorbikes, Ex‑Rep Says
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‘Prove Yourself or Resign’ – Natasha Blasts Defence Chief Over Jos Killings
‘Prove Yourself or Resign’ – Natasha Blasts Defence Chief Over Jos Killings
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has delivered a scathing rebuke of Nigeria’s defence leadership following the deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, which left more than 30 people dead.
Reacting to the March 27 incident, the senator described the killings as a clear failure of Nigeria’s security system, warning that repeated attacks across vulnerable communities show that citizens remain exposed despite government assurances.
In a strongly worded statement addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, Akpoti-Uduaghan said Nigerians are tired of promises and demand immediate, measurable results.
“Angwan Rukuba is another brutal reminder that Nigerians remain unprotected,” she said, recalling the assurances given during his screening at the National Assembly.
She challenged the defence chief to take decisive action or step aside, insisting that “enough of condolences, enough of excuses” as citizens continue to lose their lives.
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The Jos attack has reignited national outrage, particularly in Plateau State, where communities have endured recurring violence linked to complex ethnic, religious, and land disputes.
Local reports indicate that the attackers struck with minimal resistance, leaving behind destruction, grief, and displaced families. Survivors are now struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones, while residents say security interventions often come too late.
Following the incident, security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and military units, have increased deployment in affected areas to prevent further violence. Authorities say investigations are ongoing and efforts are being made to track down the perpetrators.
The Plateau State Government has condemned the killings, describing them as senseless and assuring residents that justice will be pursued.
However, community leaders have called for more than routine responses, demanding a permanent security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and swift prosecution of those responsible for the attack.
The senator’s remarks reflect growing frustration among Nigerians over rising insecurity, with many calling for urgent security reforms and stronger coordination among agencies to protect lives and property.
As pressure mounts on the nation’s security leadership, the Angwan Rukuba tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for effective action against killings in Plateau State and across the country.
‘Prove Yourself or Resign’ – Natasha Blasts Defence Chief Over Jos Killings
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Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade
Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade
Authorities in Benue State have launched an investigation following a disturbing incident at Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Aliade, where a female student was reportedly harassed and assaulted by her peers. The event has raised serious concerns over student safety and supervision in the state’s schools.
According to preliminary reports, the victim, a female student at the school, was subjected to inappropriate treatment by a group of classmates while on school premises. The incident came to light after other students alerted the school authorities, prompting the administration to notify local law enforcement.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that officers have begun a formal investigation. Police spokespersons said statements are being taken from witnesses, and the identities of those involved are being verified. Officials have emphasized that the safety and well-being of all students remain a top priority.
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School management has pledged full cooperation with authorities, stating that disciplinary measures will be taken against any student found responsible, while also offering counselling services for both the victim and other students affected by the incident. Parents and community leaders have condemned the act, describing it as unacceptable and a violation of students’ rights.
Child protection experts have stressed that incidents like this highlight the urgent need for robust safety policies, awareness programs, and reporting mechanisms within schools. They recommend that schools implement regular workshops on respect, personal boundaries, and peer conflict resolution to prevent future occurrences.
The case has sparked broader discussions across Benue State about the responsibilities of school administrators, teachers, and guardians in protecting students from harassment and ensuring a safe learning environment.
Authorities have assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, and anyone found culpable will face legal consequences in accordance with Nigerian law.
Benue School Harassment: Authorities Investigate Assault on Female Student at Seat of Wisdom Aliade
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