metro
Over 23,000 Nigerian Pilgrims Arrive in Makkah as Hajj Airlift Nears Completion
Over 23,000 Nigerian Pilgrims Arrive in Makkah as Hajj Airlift Nears Completion
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has transported 23,425 Nigerian pilgrims to the holy city of Makkah ahead of the commencement of the 2026 Hajj rites, as the nationwide airlift operation gathers momentum.
Figures released by NAHCON’s Command and Control Centre in Abuja showed that, as of Saturday night, a total of 31,844 Nigerian pilgrims had been airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 78 flights since the commencement of the outbound operation 14 days ago.
Of the total number already in Saudi Arabia, 23,425 pilgrims have successfully arrived in Makkah, while 8,419 remain in Madinah awaiting onward movement for the Hajj proper.
A report by Tribune Online indicated that 69 flights conveying 27,568 pilgrims landed in Madinah directly from various departure centres across Nigeria. Another nine flights carrying 4,276 pilgrims arrived in Jeddah, from where the pilgrims were subsequently transferred to Madinah before proceeding to Makkah.
The breakdown further revealed that 19,620 male pilgrims and 12,224 female pilgrims had so far been transported for the spiritual exercise.
NAHCON said Ekiti and Kogi states had completed 100 per cent airlift of their registered pilgrims, while Gombe, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto and Taraba states had achieved 99 per cent completion.
Several other states recorded airlift levels ranging between 23 and 98 per cent. However, pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states, as well as the Armed Forces contingent, are yet to commence airlift operations.
According to the Commission, only 17 flights remain to conclude the transportation of the 40,250 pilgrims registered under the states’ quota and the Armed Forces for this year’s Hajj exercise.
Saudi Arabian authorities allocated 50,000 Hajj slots to Nigeria for the 2026 pilgrimage, with the quota shared among state pilgrims welfare boards, the Armed Forces and licensed private tour operators.
Meanwhile, NAHCON has assured intending pilgrims that all registered Nigerians would be airlifted before the closure of Saudi airspace on May 21, ahead of the five-day Hajj rites expected to begin on May 25.
![]()
metro
Lexus Driver Crushes Policeman To Death On Third Mainland Bridge
Lexus Driver Crushes Policeman To Death On Third Mainland Bridge
A police officer riding a motorcycle has been crushed to death in a tragic road accident on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State, with authorities blaming the incident on reckless driving.
The fatal crash occurred on Sunday around the Adekunle area inward Iyana Oworo axis of the Third Mainland Bridge and has once again raised concerns over dangerous driving and road safety violations in Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in an official statement issued by its spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq.
According to LASTMA, the accident involved a Lexus Jeep with registration number EPE 765 JN and a Bajaj motorcycle being ridden by the deceased police officer.
“The regrettable incident occurred when a driver of a Lexus car, EPE 765 JN, rammed into a police officer riding a Bajaj motorcycle on Third Mainland Bridge,” the statement read.
Authorities disclosed that the impact of the collision was severe, leading to the immediate death of the officer at the scene.
The identity of the deceased policeman had not been officially released as of the time of filing this report.
LASTMA further stated that the driver of the Lexus vehicle reportedly surrendered himself shortly after the accident at the Adekunle Police Division.
Emergency responders and traffic officials were immediately deployed to the scene following distress alerts from motorists and road users.
According to the agency, LASTMA officials worked alongside officers of the Nigeria Police Force to control traffic flow, secure the accident scene and prevent secondary collisions along the busy bridge corridor.
READ ALSO:
- AFIDMURG Trains Over 150 African Researchers On Infectious Disease Systematic Review
- Over 90 Students Discharged After Ogun Methane Leak Incident In Ijebu-Ode
- ‘No Election While We Are Dying’ — Benue South Youths Block Roads
“In a bid to avert secondary collisions and guarantee the safety of other road users, traffic cones and cautionary safety devices were strategically positioned around the affected corridor while police operatives commenced proper documentation and investigative procedures,” LASTMA added.
Eyewitnesses reportedly described the incident as shocking, noting that the collision caused temporary traffic disruption on the bridge as motorists slowed down around the accident scene.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sadness over the incident and extended condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officer.
Bakare-Oki also used the opportunity to warn motorists against excessive speeding, reckless driving and traffic law violations capable of endangering lives on Lagos roads.
He stressed the need for all road users to maintain responsible driving habits and comply strictly with established traffic regulations to reduce avoidable road accidents across the state.
The latest tragedy adds to the growing number of fatal crashes recorded on the Third Mainland Bridge and other major highways in Lagos, where authorities have repeatedly intensified enforcement campaigns against speeding and dangerous driving.
Security sources disclosed that investigations had already commenced to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
Police authorities are also expected to conduct further interrogation of the driver as part of ongoing investigations into the incident.
Road safety advocates have continued to call for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved driver discipline and enhanced monitoring systems on major roads to reduce rising accident rates in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Lexus Driver Crushes Policeman To Death On Third Mainland Bridge
![]()
metro
Over 90 Students Discharged After Ogun Methane Leak Incident In Ijebu-Ode
Over 90 Students Discharged After Ogun Methane Leak Incident In Ijebu-Ode
The Ogun State Government has confirmed that all students and residents hospitalised following a suspected methane gas leak incident in Ijebu-Ode have been discharged after receiving medical treatment and being certified medically fit.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting with parents, guardians and community members at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, one of the schools affected by the environmental incident.
According to the commissioner, the government immediately activated emergency medical response protocols after the incident, ensuring that affected persons received urgent medical attention at designated healthcare facilities across the area.
“There were persons admitted at the Ijebu-Ode State Hospital and others at Ijebu-Ife who were affected by the methane emission. Altogether, we had adults and children admitted, and I am glad to say that all have been discharged. They are hale and hearty,” she stated.
Dr. Coker explained that methane is generally regarded as a non-toxic gas but becomes dangerous when it displaces oxygen needed by the body and brain for proper functioning.
“Methane is a non-toxic gas; however, it competes with oxygen which our body and brain need to function properly, and that is why it is of concern to us,” she added.
The incident reportedly triggered panic across Ijebu-Ode on Friday after a suspected gas leakage caused air pollution in parts of the town, leaving more than 90 students hospitalised.
READ ALSO:
- ‘No Election While We Are Dying’ — Benue South Youths Block Roads
- Governors Tighten Grip As APC Reps Lose Return Bids (Full List)
- Manchester United Beat Nottingham Forest As Fernandes Makes History
The development occurred barely one month after a similar environmental scare was recorded within the community, raising fresh concerns among residents over recurring air quality issues in the area.
Students from several schools, including Our Lady of Apostles Girls School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School and Sambadola Private School, were reportedly affected by the gas exposure.
Eyewitnesses said several students suddenly collapsed or developed symptoms such as dizziness, abdominal pain, breathing discomfort and nausea during school activities before they were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Videos circulating on social media showed distressed parents and emergency responders evacuating affected students into ambulances as panic spread across the community.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, later confirmed that air quality monitoring devices installed in Ijebu-Ode detected unusually high methane concentrations around affected locations.
According to him, monitoring stations at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School recorded methane readings of about 13,500 parts per million (ppm) in surrounding areas.
“The deployment of the Air Quality Monitoring station at Ijebu Ode Grammar School forms part of the state’s continuous environmental surveillance programme designed to provide early detection of abnormal air quality conditions and support timely public health interventions,” Oresanya said.
He clarified that although the methane concentration detected remained below the lower explosive limit, the level was still environmentally significant and required urgent investigation and precautionary measures.
Environmental experts explained that high methane concentrations in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments can reduce oxygen availability, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fainting and respiratory discomfort.
Following the incident, the Ogun State Government activated a multi-agency environmental and public health emergency response team involving environmental regulators, emergency responders, medical experts and air quality specialists.
According to Oresanya, the team has commenced investigations to determine the exact source of the emissions, assess exposure risks and evaluate the possible presence of other dangerous gases such as hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds.
Authorities have advised residents to remain calm, continue their normal activities and avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are perceived.
Residents experiencing symptoms including dizziness, headaches, nausea or respiratory discomfort were also urged to seek immediate medical attention.
The latest development has renewed concerns over environmental safety and public health monitoring in Ogun State, particularly around schools and densely populated communities.
Parents and community leaders have called on the government to strengthen environmental surveillance systems and ensure long-term preventive measures against future gas leak incidents.
Over 90 Students Discharged After Ogun Methane Leak Incident In Ijebu-Ode
![]()
metro
‘No Election While We Are Dying’ — Benue South Youths Block Roads
‘No Election While We Are Dying’ — Benue South Youths Block Roads
Angry youths in Benue South on Saturday staged a protest during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, demanding urgent government intervention over persistent killings and insecurity across Idoma-speaking communities in the state.
The protesters barricaded a major road in Apa Local Government Area, disrupting traffic flow and political activities as the APC conducted its primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Carrying a coffin and placards with inscriptions such as “No Election While We Are Dying” and “Stop The Killings In Benue”, the demonstrators chanted slogans rejecting political activities while residents continue to face repeated attacks.
Witnesses said the protest was led largely by youths who accused political leaders of neglecting worsening insecurity in rural communities, insisting that survival should be prioritised over elections.
The demonstrators said communities in Apa and surrounding areas of Benue South have faced repeated attacks allegedly carried out by suspected armed herders and other armed groups, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
The protest comes amid a fresh wave of violent incidents across Benue State, where several communities have reportedly suffered deadly attacks in recent days.
In one of the latest incidents, at least seven people were reportedly killed in Channel One community, a border settlement in Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area.
READ ALSO:
- Governors Tighten Grip As APC Reps Lose Return Bids (Full List)
- Manchester United Beat Nottingham Forest As Fernandes Makes History
- ‘I Don’t Want To Die Because Of A Woman’ — Frank Edoho Opens Up
Local sources said the attackers stormed the community at night, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
A community member identified as Amos said the attack occurred along the Arufu–Wukari axis near the Taraba border, describing it as sudden and coordinated.
Community leaders later confirmed the incident, naming some of the victims and reporting that several others sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in nearby health facilities.
Officials said those in critical condition were transferred to hospitals in Ugba and Anyiin, while others remain under observation.
A local leader in the area, Joseph Anawah, confirmed that multiple fatalities were recorded and called for urgent security intervention.
He also alleged that attackers often operate from deserted settlements believed to serve as hideouts for armed groups, urging authorities to dismantle such bases.
Anawah further called for a coordinated interstate security operation involving Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States to curb cross-border attacks affecting rural communities.
The Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Clement Kav, also confirmed the killings, stating that seven people were killed and four others injured during the attack.
Security agencies were reportedly informed, although police authorities said they were still awaiting a formal report at the time of filing the information.
The latest violence adds to a growing pattern of insecurity across Benue State in recent weeks.
In Agatu Local Government Area, gunmen reportedly killed a traditional ruler, his wife, his son, and two other residents in a separate attack.
In another incident in Ushongo Local Government Area, armed men attacked mourners returning from a burial, killing three people and abducting two others.
These repeated attacks have triggered renewed calls from residents, traditional rulers, and civil society groups for intensified security operations to protect vulnerable rural communities.
Many affected residents have been displaced and are currently taking refuge in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the state.
Against this backdrop, Saturday’s protesters insisted that political activities, including party primaries, should not continue while communities are under siege.
They called on both the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to deploy stronger security measures, including military clearance operations in affected areas.
As of Saturday evening, authorities were yet to issue a comprehensive response to the protest or the latest killings reported in parts of Benue South and Benue North.
‘No Election While We Are Dying’ — Benue South Youths Block Roads
![]()
-
metro2 days agoFrank Edoho Breaks Silence, Accuses Estranged Wife of Affair With Singer Chike
-
metro3 days agoFrank Edoho Divorce Saga Deepens as Estranged Wife Shares Shocking Claims
-
metro3 days agoOver 100 Students Hospitalised as Fresh Suspected Gas Leak Hits Ogun Schools
-
metro3 days agoHow I Nearly Lost My Job Over Desmond Elliot, Lagos Assembly Crisis — Gbajabiamila
-
metro2 days agoFayose Loses Wife To Cancer After Prolonged Illness
-
Politics2 days ago‘I’m Sorry My Daddy’ — Desmond Elliot Tenders Public Apology to Gbajabiamila
-
metro2 days agoMURIC Raises Alarm Over Appointments, Administrative Processes at FUNATO
-
Politics2 days agoOsogbo Community Leader Sues for Peace as Political Rivalry Divides Odekilekun Family
