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No Plan To Suspend Umrah Despite New COVID-19 Wave – S/Arabia

Published

2 years ago

January 14, 2022

Trends Admin

The Saudi Arabia government has dismissed rumours regarding suspension of Umrah due to increase in COVID-19.

A source in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah told Haramain Sharifain that it has no plans to suspend Umrah.

It called on visitors and pilgrims to adhere to the precautionary measures decided by the competent authorities.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques recently reintroduced Physical and Social Distancing in the Two Holy Mosques after a rise in COVID-19 cases was noted.

“We call on every pilgrim and visitor to adhere to physical distancing and wearing of masks at all times as this will ensure your safety and the safety of others,” the Imam of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Yasir Al Dossary announced before commencing the afternoon prayers on Thursday.

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Saudi Arabia announced two deaths from COVID-19 and 5,499 new infections on Thursday.

Of the new cases, 1,565 were recorded in Riyadh, 877 in Jeddah, 474 in Makkah, 239 in Madinah, 198 in Dammam, 137 in Taif, 110 in Qatif, 103 in Al-Khobar, 102 in Hofuf, and 100 in Khulais. Several other cities recorded less than one hundred new cases each.

The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 555,035 after 2,978 more patients recovered from the virus.

A total of 8,901 people have succumbed to the virus in the Kingdom so far. Over 53.3 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine have been administered in the Kingdom to date.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque increased its preparedness to welcome visitors in the coming period through updating electrical, mechanical and electronic elements. (Haramain Sharifain/Arab News).

Related Topics:COVID-19 S/Arabia Suspend umrah

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Osun teenager sentenced to three-year imprisonment for stealing water taps

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2 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Osun teenager sentenced to three-year imprisonment for stealing water taps

In Osun State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has secured the conviction of one Abiodun Adewuyi.

Adewuyi was arrested by the security outfit for theft of water taps at Durodola community, Owode-Ede town.

He was subsequently arraigned and sentenced to three years imprisonment for stealing the items.

18-year-old Adewusi was convicted and sentenced by an Osun Chief Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Ede.

The spokesperson of the Command, Adeleke Kehinde, in a statement in Osogbo on Wednesday, said the convict was caught in a building removing the taps on April 16 at about 5:40 pm.

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The offence committed, according to the statement, was contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code Law of Osun State.

The suspect was arraigned on Monday, April 22, at the Magistrate Court in Ede, Osun State, before Chief Magistrate V. A. Adedokun, where he was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Osun State Command has arraigned one Adewuyi Jamiu Abiodun (m) 18 years for stealing seven brass water taps.

“The suspect was arrested on April 16 at Durodola community, Owode Ede, Osun State at about 1740hrs where he was caught removing two brass water taps.

“At the point of arrest, he had a total number of seven water taps in his possession and discreet investigation further revealed that whenever he stole water taps, he sold the stolen items to buyers of scrap metals,” Adeleke said.

Osun teenager sentenced to three-year imprisonment for stealing water taps

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Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

A 60-year-old resident of Nza Ozubulu in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, identified only as Mr. Kenneth, was reportedly tortured to death by operatives of local vigilantes hired by his younger brother.

Activist Harrison Gwamnishu shared a video on X, showing the sexagenarian with his hands tied behind him, being repeatedly beaten with cutlasses and sticks by his assailants.

Mr. Kenneth had sold a water tank in his family house to address family issues, which his younger brother disagreed with. Consequently, the brother called for the local vigilante group, who arrested and tortured Mr. Kenneth until he succumbed to his injuries.

In the video of his torture posted by Gwamnishu, Mr. Kenneth could be heard shouting “They have killed me. It is death. I am dying! What did I do?”

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As his torturers took turns to beat him, voices could be heard in the background saying in Igbo language, “You stole. It is a general property,” amongst other unclear words.

Meanwhile, Gwamnishu noted that “Currently his wife and children are subjected to fear and intimidation as they have vowed to deal with them if they continue to seek justice for the death of Mr. Kenneth.”

Demanding justice for the deceased, the activist said, “Ndi Nza Ozubulu, Anambra State, stop shying away from this case and protect the deceased wife and children.”

When SaharaReporters contacted the Anambra State Police Command for confirmation of the incident and reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Toochukwu Ikenga, said he was not aware of the incident.

The police spokesperson who asked the family of the deceased to reach out to him said, “There is no report like that before me, please. Can the victim’s relatives see me please.”

Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

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Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

The Nigerian military has dismantled their tents and withdrawn their services from communities in Niger State following deadly attacks by bandits and terrorists.

Two officers and four soldiers lost their lives last Friday in the Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state during an ambush by the bandits which left over eight persons dead.

The PUNCH learnt that following the withdrawal of the soldiers on Thursday, hundreds of residents, including women, children, and the elderly have started vacating their ancestral homes and, trekking several kilometres to safety.

A resident, who is privy to the development, said that they were shocked to find the soldiers dismantling their tents ahead of withdrawing their services to the communities and called on the Niger State Government to quickly intervene to avert any attack by the bandits.

According to one of the residents who spoke to the media under the condition of anonymity, the withdrawal of the soldiers came two days after a military vehicle stepped on a landmine along the Allawa-Pandogari road, resulting in the casualty of an unspecified number of soldiers.

“We woke up on Thursday morning to find the soldiers dismantling their tents in readiness to leave the community. I don’t know if you are aware that on Tuesday, a military vehicle carrying some personnel on their way to Allawa stepped on an IED. There was a heavy casualty as many soldiers lost their lives while some were injured. The injured are in the hospital. The incident happened on Allawa-pandogari road,” the resident said.

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It would be recalled that Tuesday’s incident occurred less than a week after the two officers, four soldiers, a vigilante, and a hunter lost their lives in an ambush at Roro when bandits ambushed them in Roro, Karaga, Rumace, and other farming communities.

Another resident, who gave his name as Yahuza Allawa, told the media that dozens of residents vacated their communities as early as 4 am trekking several kilometres heading towards Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba for safety.

“We are leaving our communities now and there are insufficient motorcycles and vehicles to take us out as quickly as possible. We are afraid. We left our belongings behind because we could not carry so many things. So many other people have left already

“We are moving to either Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba. And from Allawa to Erena which is the only exit road for us and it is at least 42km and we are trekking. We cannot wait to be killed by these heartless bandits and Boko Haram. This is a serious issue, please help us report this issue,” Allawa pleaded.

The residents lamented that with the withdrawal of the military personnel, they were now more vulnerable to attacks by bandits and called for immediate intervention from the state government.

Last year, no fewer than 30 officers and men lost their lives in attacks by the bandits and terrorists in Niger State. In August 2023, 20 soldiers lost their lives while others including vigilantes sustained injuries during an ambush along Zungeru-Tegina road while responding to distress calls in some communities in Wushishi LGA.

Less than 24 hours after that incident, an MI-171 NAF Helicopter was on a casualty evacuation mission when it crashed at about 1.00 pm near Chukuba Village, Shiroro. The crash was confirmed by the Nigeria Air Force authorities. An unconfirmed report, however, said that the helicopter was shot down by suspected bandits. The pilot died in the crash.

The PUNCH learnt from anonymous military sources that the military authorities complained that they could no longer bear the incessant killing of soldiers by bandits in the state.

In his reaction, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Bello Abdullahi, a retired Brigadier General, confirmed the withdrawal of the soldiers, saying it was part of the arrangements by the military to re-strategise on the best ways to tackle insecurity.

He said, “The whole thing is about administrative arrangements by the military to re-strategise to return in full strength”.