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Hajj, Umrah Are for Muslims Only – Scholar Urges NAHCON to Tighten Screening
Hajj, Umrah Are for Muslims Only – Scholar Urges NAHCON to Tighten Screening
A Nigerian Islamic scholar, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to strengthen its pilgrim screening process to safeguard the sanctity of Hajj and Umrah, following controversy over the reported Umrah visit of a prominent Christian cleric.
Agunbiade, who identified himself as Taalib Jami’ei, Islamic Propagation Rabwa, Saudi Arabia, made the call in a statement dated March 1, 2026. His concerns followed public comments by Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, Shepherd in Charge of Genesis Global, regarding a visit to the Islamic holy cities of Makkah and Madinah for Umrah.
The scholar stressed that the issue should not be viewed through the lens of interfaith hostility, but as a matter of religious doctrine and respect for Islamic worship. According to him, Hajj and Umrah are not cultural experiences or spiritual tourism but exclusive acts of worship prescribed solely for Muslims.
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To support his position, Agunbiade referenced Qur’anic injunctions, including Qur’an 9:28, which restricts access to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, and Qur’an 3:97, which makes Hajj a duty upon Muslims who are able. He also cited prophetic traditions recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, noting that Islam is built on five pillars, one of which is Hajj. He added that Islamic history records the declaration by Prophet Muhammad that no polytheist would perform Hajj after the ninth year of Hijrah.
Agunbiade called on NAHCON, as Nigeria’s official body responsible for coordinating Hajj and Umrah, to ensure that only qualified Muslims are granted access under its supervision. He argued that screening should extend beyond verbal claims or basic documentation, particularly in cases involving public figures with well-known religious identities outside Islam.
According to him, individuals with established non-Islamic religious identities who claim to have embraced Islam must present clear, documented, and verifiable proof of conversion, confirmed by recognized Islamic authorities. He warned that inadequate screening could undermine the sanctity of the holy sites, create public confusion, and provoke avoidable religious tension.
While emphasizing that Islam promotes peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among different faiths, the scholar maintained that doctrinal boundaries must be respected, especially regarding acts of worship reserved exclusively for Muslims. He therefore urged NAHCON to adopt a structured and transparent profiling and verification mechanism, particularly for high-profile applicants, to prevent future controversies and uphold what he described as the non-negotiable integrity of Islamic rites.
As of the time of filing this report, NAHCON has not issued an official response to the concerns raised.
Hajj, Umrah Are for Muslims Only – Scholar Urges NAHCON to Tighten Screening
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Lagos Announces Traffic Diversions for Ogunnusi Road Reconstruction in Ikeja
Lagos Announces Traffic Diversions for Ogunnusi Road Reconstruction in Ikeja
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a comprehensive traffic management plan ahead of the Phase I reconstruction and expansion of Ogunnusi Road in Ikeja Local Government Area. The project, scheduled to commence on Friday, March 6, 2026, aims to upgrade the 4.5‑kilometre stretch from Ojodu‑Berger Bus-Stop to Mobil Filling Station Junction (Ijaye/Agege bound) and is expected to be completed by Saturday, February 6, 2027. According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the project forms part of a larger 9‑kilometre dual carriageway upgrade, covering both inbound and outbound lanes. The full reconstruction and expansion (Phase 1 & 2) will run through January 6, 2028. Authorities stressed that to facilitate seamless work execution, there will be no vehicular access within the designated construction zone.
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Motorists heading inward toward Ijaye/Agege via Ogunnusi Road from Ojodu‑Berger will be rerouted onto a contraflow on the Ojodu‑Berger‑bound carriageway for approximately one kilometre, before rejoining the main carriageway. Alternatively, drivers may use Dr Nurudeen Olowopopo Way, connecting to Otunba Jobifele Way, then Obafemi Awolowo Way and Lateef Jakande Road to reach their destinations. Articulated trucks and commercial vehicles from the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway heading to Agege are advised to follow an alternative route through Ojota/Maryland, linking Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way to Kodesoh Street, then connecting Oba Akran Avenue, Guinness Roundabout, and Ogba Road to Pen Cinema. Motorists traveling from Ijaye/Agege toward Ojodu‑Berger will experience through traffic but will temporarily use a contraflow system for about one kilometre near the construction zone before regaining full access.
To mitigate traffic disruptions and manage emergencies, the Lagos State Government will deploy emergency tow vehicles along the corridor. Authorities have urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signage, and cooperate with Traffic Management Officials to ensure smooth movement and safety throughout the construction period. The government emphasized that the temporary traffic adjustments are essential for the safe and efficient execution of the reconstruction and expansion works, which are expected to significantly improve road safety, ease congestion, and enhance travel experience along this busy Ikeja corridor.
This announcement follows a recent traffic management plan for the Lagos‑Abeokuta Expressway, where a section between Super Bus‑Stop and Ilepo Bus‑Stop will be closed from March 7 to May 30, 2026, for federal rehabilitation works. The initiative highlights Lagos State’s commitment to upgrading critical transport infrastructure and improving commuter mobility.
Lagos Announces Traffic Diversions for Ogunnusi Road Reconstruction in Ikeja
metro
Four Die in Katsina Stampede During Ramadan Alms Distribution
Four Die in Katsina Stampede During Ramadan Alms Distribution
No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead following a stampede during the distribution of annual Ramadan alms at Kofar-Guga quarters in Katsina State, the police have confirmed.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Abubakar. According to the police, the tragedy occurred on February 26, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., during the distribution of alms organised by a local philanthropist.
Police said a distress call was received at the Central Police Station, Katsina, reporting that a large and uncontrollable crowd had gathered at the philanthropist’s residence in Kofar-Guga quarters. The situation reportedly degenerated into a stampede as beneficiaries struggled to gain access to the venue.
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Upon receiving the alert, a team of police officers was immediately deployed to the scene to restore order and coordinate rescue efforts. Victims who sustained injuries during the stampede were rushed to the nearest hospitals for urgent medical attention.
“Unfortunately, four of the injured later succumbed to their injuries, while others are currently receiving treatment,” the police spokesperson said, adding that the number of injured persons could not be immediately ascertained.
The Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Bello Shehu, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances that led to the stampede.
The police commissioner further directed that preventive measures be strengthened to avoid similar tragedies, especially during Ramadan when charitable activities attract large crowds. He urged individuals and organisations planning to distribute alms or organise public charity events to notify the police in advance to enable the provision of adequate security, crowd control, and traffic management.
The police warned that failure to coordinate with security agencies during such gatherings could expose members of the public to unnecessary risks, stressing that crowd safety remains a collective responsibility.
The incident has sparked concern among residents of Katsina, with community leaders calling for better organisation, improved crowd control mechanisms, and greater public awareness to prevent a recurrence of such tragic events during humanitarian and religious activities.
Four Die in Katsina Stampede During Ramadan Alms Distribution
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ISWAP Fighter’s Female Relative Surrenders to Troops in Borno
ISWAP Fighter’s Female Relative Surrenders to Troops in Borno
A female family member of a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist has surrendered to Nigerian troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai in Dikwa Local Government Area, Borno State, as sustained military offensives continue to weaken insurgent networks in the North-East.
Intelligence sources disclosed that the adult female surrendered at about 6:05 p.m. on February 26, 2026, to troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade deployed in the area. She reportedly approached the troops voluntarily and expressed willingness to disengage from insurgency-related activities.
Preliminary findings revealed that the woman fled from Tokombere Village in Gwoza Local Government Area before making her way to Dikwa, where she turned herself in to the military. Security sources said she had been living under harsh conditions, including food scarcity, fear of air strikes, and constant displacement following intensified military operations against terrorist hideouts.
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The suspect is believed to be a close relative of an active ISWAP fighter, although her exact relationship is still undergoing verification. She is currently in the custody of troops for profiling, intelligence debriefing, and administrative processing, in line with established military procedures.
Sources explained that the surrender is linked to Operation Desert Sanity, a special counter-insurgency offensive being conducted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai to maintain pressure on ISWAP and Boko Haram remnants across parts of Borno State. The operation has reportedly disrupted terrorist supply routes, logistics chains, and safe havens, forcing fighters and their families to abandon long-held enclaves.
Military authorities noted that the development reflects declining morale within terrorist camps, with increased surrenders recorded in recent weeks. They again urged remaining insurgents and collaborators to lay down their arms, assuring them of humane treatment under the law, while reiterating that military operations will continue until the region is fully secured.
The surrendered woman is expected to be handed over to relevant authorities after military screening for further action, including possible enrolment in rehabilitation and deradicalisation programmes.
ISWAP Fighter’s Female Relative Surrenders to Troops in Borno
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