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2023 Hajj: Stakeholders disagree with NAHCON over slashing of Nigerian pilgrims’ days in Madinah
2023 Hajj: Stakeholders disagree with NAHCON over slashing of Nigerian pilgrims’ days in Madinah
Hajj and Umrah stakeholders have refuted claims by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, that the 2023 hajj is the first time that all Nigerian pilgrims are visiting Madinah before Arafat.
Recall that the Hajj commission had introduced a new policy restricting pilgrims’ stay in Madinah to 5 days, saying that the decision was aimed at giving Nigerian pilgrims the opportunity to visit Madina in the first phase or before Arafat.
The commission, in a statement by its Deputy Director (Information and Publications), Mousa Ubandawaki, noted that such an opportunity is the first time in a long history of the Hajj exercise in the country.
But while speaking with DAILY NIGERIAN on Sunday, a tour operator based in Abuja, Rabiu Mohammed, disclosed that records have shown that Nigerian pilgrims in the past visited Madinah before Arafat.
He said: “Previous official hajj reports submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) by NAHCON indicated that during 2015 hajj, 92 percent of Nigerian pilgrims had visited Madinah before Arafat. In 2016, all the Nigerian pilgrims (100 percent) had visited Madinah before Arafat.
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“Also, 99 percent of Nigerian pilgrims visited Madinah in 2017 before moving to Makkah for hajj, while in 2018, only 83 percent of the pilgrims visited Madinah before hajj. In 2019, 98 percent of Nigerian contingents to hajj visited Madinah before Arafat.
“In all these five years – 2015 to 2019 – all the pilgrims spent their full eight days in Madinah, unlike in 2023 where the commission had to slash it to five.”
Speaking on the complaint of overcrowding of Nigerian pilgrims in the City of Madinah, another Hajj and Umrah stakeholder, Aminu Salisu, disagreed with NAHCON, saying that that “overcrowding” in Madinah could never be the factor for the slashing of the Madinah days to five.
According to him, the actual reasons for the slashing of the Madinah days included NAHCON’s alleged delay in processing Nigerian pilgrims’ accommodation at the airport due to the non-availability of bed spaces.
Other factors, he said, are “mismanagement of bed spaces leading to pilgrims staying up to four hours inside buses in front of hotels, thereby disrupting the buses cycle of transporting pilgrims of other countries on schedule; and sending Nigerian pilgrims to wrong hotels causing confusion and traffic gridlock around the hotel areas”.
Mr Salisu said: “It is worthy of note that because of these aforementioned reasons, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj had queried NAHCON three times, and summoned its officials in Madinah to explain this unprecedented anomaly.
“Also, pilgrims from at least three flights were accommodated in low-budget accommodations outside the highbrow Markaziyya which they paid for, thereby triggering protests and complaints from them.
“It was also established that Saudi authorities never dictate to visiting pilgrims the number of days they spend in Madinah.
“The idea of reducing the number of days in Madinah was conceived in one of the meetings when it became apparent that NAHCON’s handling of Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah was capable of disrupting the entire hajj ecosystem in Islam’s second holiest city.”
2023 Hajj: Stakeholders disagree with NAHCON over slashing of Nigerian pilgrims’ days in Madinah
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Concern as bandits engage in drone flying skill ( + VIDEOS)
Concern as bandits engage in drone flying skill
A recent video showcased a group of bandits displaying proficiency in operating drones. Uploaded by counter-insurgency expert ZagazOla Makama, the footage captured at least five bandits gathered on the ground.
One of the bandits skillfully manoeuvred a drone, drawing excitement and laughter from the others as they observed its flight. In the video, one bandit spoke on the drone’s ability to hover in the air, indicating a level of surprise and admiration.
The video sparked reactions from various users, raising concerns about the country’s security situation. @angel_abaji expressed worry about the implications for the fight against banditry, while @realadnantweet highlighted conspiracy theories surrounding banditry in northern Nigeria.
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@mr_stitch01 and @igwedip questioned the source of the bandits’ drones, suggesting possible sponsorship by wealthy individuals. @Godmvde pointed out the use of drones by Boko Haram for tracking Nigerian soldiers, emphasizing the need to cut off support for terrorism.
@Aminpac raised doubts about the identification of the individuals in the video as bandits, while @oil_shaeikh questioned the group’s profiling without evidence. @carliid warned against government knee-jerk regulations on drone usage, advocating for more effective tracking methods instead.
@legenduryjrini lamented the reversal of roles where bandits possess drones instead of the army, likening the situation to conflicts in other countries. @Gracepikin001 highlighted the bandits’ possible connections with external groups experienced in drone surveillance, posing a significant challenge for the military.
The video underscores growing concerns about security and the need for comprehensive strategies to address emerging threats posed by technological advancements among criminal elements.
Concern as bandits engage in drone flying skill
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Six members of CAN women’s wing killed in Taraba auto crash
Six members of CAN women’s wing killed in Taraba auto crash
A fatal road accident in Nigeria’s middle belt State of Taraba has claimed the lives of six women, authorities said on Sunday.
The victims are said to be members of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Taraba State chapter.
They met their end after an 18-seater bus conveying them lost control and somersaulted.
The victims were being conveyed from Gembu, the headquarters of the Sardauna Local Government, after attending a conference on the Mambilla Plateau when the incident happened.
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The State government confirmed the incident, describing it as heartbreaking and devastating.
In a press statement by Emmanuel Bello, a spokesperson for Governor Agbu Kefas, the state government condoled with the family of the victims, CAN leadership, WOWICAN, and the entire Christian community in the state.
The Governor described the event as a Black Sunday and stated that the circumstances of their death were regrettably tragic.
The governor pledged his administration’s continuous commitment to safer roads, especially within areas that poses great threats to lives and has directed that local government chairmen maintain existing roads with proper traffic controls, signage and basic repairs.
The statement added that he would work to minimise the sad occurrences of road mishaps occasioned by bad roads in the state
Six members of CAN women’s wing killed in Taraba auto crash
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Health worker stabbed to death in Minna
Health worker stabbed to death in Minna
A 35-year-old health worker identified as Umar Mohammed was stabbed to death by hoodlums in Gbeganu area of Minna, Niger State capital.
Sources said the deceased, a staff of a private clinic in Minna, was returning home after attending to a patient when he ran into hoodlums fighting with dangerous weapons.
The fight was said to have broken out between hoodlums at a wedding reception in Gbeganu, during which some people were injured.
Residents said activities of hoodlums have led to disruption of peace in Minna, the state capital, in recent times.
They said areas usually affected include Kpakungu, Maitumbi, Fadikpe, Gbeganu, Soje, Obgomosho, Unguwan-Daji, Limawa, Barikin-Sale, Kwangila, among others.
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The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident to the Daily trust.
“On 17/5/2024 at about 2200hrs, it was reported at Kpakungu Div that there was a wedding ceremony at Gbeganu area, while some miscreants from the Area reportedly led by one Ukasha and others armed with dangerous weapons attacked a victim named Umar Mohammed 35yrs,” the PPRO said.
“The victim was inflicted with serious injury on the head, and he was rushed to Gen Hospital Minna, where he later gave up the ghost and was confirmed dead by the doctor.”
Abiodun said two suspects had been arrested, adding that effort was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Health worker stabbed to death in Minna
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Concern as bandits engage in drone flying skill ( + VIDEOS)
Six members of CAN women’s wing killed in Taraba auto crash
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