metro
ICPC arrests NAHCON director over N90bn hajj subsidy fraud

ICPC arrests NAHCON director over N90bn hajj subsidy fraud
Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has raided the headquarters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja over alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion intervention for the 2024 hajj.
According to a source, the anti-graft operatives who stormed the hajj house shut down official activities in some strategic offices, including the office of the chief executive officer, finance and procurement departments.
The source who preferred to be anonymous said the sting operation, which lasted several hours has further brought the commission under public scrutiny on the appropriation of N90 billion subsidy granted for this year’s hajj.
Apparently not satisfied with the available records, the anti-graft agency went away with the commission’s director of procurement for further investigation, our source said.
When contacted, ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, confirmed the visit of operatives of the agency to the Hajj house but said it was on routine investigation.
READ ALSO:
- NSCDC arrests four human traffickers in Oyo, rescues nine victims
- Tinubu to Anyaoku on constitution review: My concern now is economy
- Three die in Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident
Although Bakare was silent over the nature of the investigation, he hinted that the raid was necessitated by the refusal of some officials of the commission to honor ICPC’s invitation.
Responding to an enquiry, Bakare said: “Yes, we are investigating the National Hajj Commission. We invited some officials who either failed or refused to honour the invitation. We therefore paid them a friendly visit.
“We didn’t shut down the Commission. ICPC operates within the confines of the law,” Bakare clarified.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had grilled the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of (NAHCON), Mal. Jalal Ahmad Arabi, over the management of the controversial N90 billion hajj subsidy.
The investigation followed series of petitions filed against NAHCON essentially on alleged poor management of services during the 2024 exercise and the utility of Federal Government intervention, the anti-graft agency said.
Nevertheless, NAHCON had clarified the doubt on the allegations and further provided record on how the federal government intervention was allocated in the last exercise.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja, Arabi said the commission had paid over N1.6 million each to over 50,000 pilgrims and officials to subsidise the high cost of services occasioned by variation on naira to American dollar exchange rate.
ICPC arrests NAHCON director over N90bn hajj subsidy fraud
metro
TikTok removes 2.4 million videos by Nigerian users in Q4 2024

TikTok removes 2.4 million videos by Nigerian users in Q4 2024
Bytedance’s short video platform, TikTok, said it removed 2.4 million videos posted by Nigerian users in the fourth quarter of 2024 for violating its content policy.
According to the platform, Nigeria was among the top 50 countries where videos violating its policies emanated from in Q4.
However, the highest number of violations were recorded in the United States, which has the largest number of videos removed at 8.5 million.
ikTok disclosed this in its latest Community Guidelines Enforcement report, which indicated that a total of 153 million videos were removed globally in the period under review.
The company said the top 50 markets in terms of policy violations accounted for approximately 90% of all content removals for the quarter.
READ ALSO:
- Two children killed, 20 injured in Gombe stampede – Police
- Wike’s achievements will translate into electoral success for APC in 2027, says Tinubu
- World Bank approves Tinubu’s $632m loan request
The removed content was said to have violated one or more of TikTok’s policies, which center around Integrity and Authenticity, Privacy and Security, Mental and Behavioural Health, Safety, and Civility, among others.
Accounts removal
In the period under review, TikTok said it removed a total of 211.5 million accounts discovered to be either fake or owned by people suspected to be under 13 years of age.
- Fake accounts constituted the largest number of deleted accounts for the period. According to the report, a total of 185.3 million fake accounts were removed.
- In addition, 20.5 million accounts suspected to be owned by users under the age of 13 were removed, while 5.6 million accounts were removed for other reasons not stated.
“We remain vigilant in our efforts to detect external threats and safeguard the platform from fake accounts and engagement.
“These threats persistently probe and attack our systems, leading to occasional fluctuations in the reported metrics within these areas.
“In Q4 2024, we also updated the way we classify fake likes and followers removed over time, which contributed to some of the overall increases observed in these categories.
“This update better reflects the scale of our existing work to promptly identify and remove any accounts, content, or activities that seek to artificially boost popularity on our platform,” the company stated in the report.
TikTok removes 2.4 million videos by Nigerian users in Q4 2024
metro
Two children killed, 20 injured in Gombe stampede – Police

Two children killed, 20 injured in Gombe stampede – Police
The Police Force Gombe State Command has confirmed the death of two children following a stampede at the Gombe main Eid Ground.
The Command’s spokesperson, Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Gombe.
According to Abdullahi, the incident occurred at about 10:45 a.m. at the exit gate of the Eid Ground, immediately after the conclusion of Eid prayers.
“The stampede was caused by inadequate exit access, as a large crowd, primarily women and children, rushed to leave the venue.
“The situation, worsened by intense heat, led to the unfortunate incident,” he said.
He said that 22 individuals were affected and were immediately taken to hospitals for medical attention.
“Regrettably, two of the victims, a four-year-old boy, and six months old baby girl, were pronounced dead by doctors while receiving treatment,” Abdullahi added.
READ ALSO:
- Wike’s achievements will translate into electoral success for APC in 2027, says Tinubu
- World Bank approves Tinubu’s $632m loan request
- Okada rider allegedly stabbed to death by wife over money
He extended the command’s condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“The police urge Eid Ground managers to ensure that all entrance and exit gates remain open to facilitate smooth movement, especially after prayers,” he advised.
In a related development, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has condoled with the families of the deceased and those affected by the tragedy.
In a statement issued by his media aide on Sunday, the governor directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens remain a top priority. The state government is committed to learning from this incident and implementing corrective measures,” Yahaya said.
He also directed that all medical expenses for the injured victims be fully covered by the state government to ensure their recovery and well-being.
Two children killed, 20 injured in Gombe stampede – Police
(NAN)
metro
Wike’s achievements will translate into electoral success for APC in 2027, says Tinubu

Wike’s achievements will translate into electoral success for APC in 2027, says Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his outstanding performance, expressing confidence that his achievements could translate into electoral success for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 FCT elections—despite Wike still being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Tinubu made the remarks at the State House, Abuja, on Sunday during a traditional Sallah homage by a delegation of prominent FCT residents to mark Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The President commended Wike’s leadership, noting that several infrastructure projects initiated under his administration, have significantly improved the lives of Abuja residents.
“I must thank the Honorable Minister of FCT. It’s worth it. It is nothing other than a privilege to be the landlord of every one of us in Abuja,” Tinubu said.
READ ALSO:
- World Bank approves Tinubu’s $632m loan request
- Okada rider allegedly stabbed to death by wife over money
- Police rescue two persons abducted in Lagos
He recalled a conversation where Wike requested exemption from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to enable greater financial flexibility for FCT projects.
Tinubu humorously recounted his response:”I asked him, ‘Would that give me an opportunity for my party (APC) to win the election in FCT?’ If this thing goes too much in your favour, you will lose your job!’”
“Today, we are living in peace, and security is improving. The hunger is coming down. Food prices are lowering. Our people are looking for results, and Wike has delivered,” Tinubu added.
Tinubu noted that despite being from the South-South, Wike is successfully driving progress in the Northern-dominated FCT.
“Surprisingly, Nyesom Wike is not from the North. He’s not a Hausa man. Yet his ability to work in the centre of the North is yielding fruits. That is a great reflection of our diversity that we must use for prosperity.”
The President urged Nigerians to embrace unity, stating that, regardless of ethnic and religious differences, progress is only possible through collaboration and shared purpose.
Wike’s achievements will translate into electoral success for APC in 2027, says Tinubu
-
Uncategorized2 days ago
Breaking: Moon sighted in Saudi, UAE, others, Eid-Fitr holds Sunday
-
metro2 days ago
Ramadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
-
metro2 days ago
Fubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly
-
metro2 days ago
Embrace environmental sanitation during Eid-Fitr, LAGESC boss tells Lagosians
-
Opinion2 days ago
Barbaric mass burning of innocents in Edo, by Farooq Kperogi
-
metro2 days ago
Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety
-
metro2 days ago
Natasha: Emmanuel Uduaghan threatens to sue Senator Nwaebonyi
-
Auto2 days ago
Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College