metro
Ramadan Day 26: Understanding the Importance of Zakatul Fitr Before Eid
Ramadan Day 26: Understanding the Importance of Zakatul Fitr Before Eid
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world prepare for one of the most important charitable obligations in Islam — Zakatul Fitr. This special charity is performed at the end of Ramadan and represents the spiritual and social completion of fasting.
Unlike other forms of charity, Zakatul Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim who has the financial means. Its purpose is not only to purify the fasting believer but also to ensure that the joy and blessings of Eid al-Fitr are shared with the less privileged in society.
Islam teaches that worship is not limited to personal devotion but must also reflect compassion toward others. Through Zakatul Fitr, the teachings of Ramadan are translated into real acts of generosity that uplift the poor and strengthen community bonds.
The obligation of Zakatul Fitr was established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a purification for those who fast. A narration reported by Ibn Abbas states that the Prophet prescribed the charity as a means of cleansing the fasting person from idle talk and indecent speech while also serving as food for the poor.
This teaching highlights the dual essence of Zakatul Fitr — spiritual purification and social compassion.
READ ALSO:
- UK MPs Ask Starmer to Challenge Tinubu Over Killings of Christians in Nigeria
- Trump Urges UK, China, Others to Send Warships as Iran Threatens Strait of Hormuz Oil Route
- ADC: Appeal Court Did Not Sack David Mark, Aregbesola
During the month of Ramadan, believers strive to maintain discipline, patience, and righteousness. However, human imperfection means that people may still fall into minor mistakes such as careless speech or impatience. Zakatul Fitr therefore acts as a form of spiritual cleansing that helps perfect the fast and compensate for these shortcomings.
Beyond spiritual purification, the charity plays a vital social role. Islam emphasizes that celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr should not exclude the poor or vulnerable members of society. By making Zakatul Fitr mandatory, the religion ensures that struggling families also have food and resources to celebrate the festival with dignity.
Traditionally, Zakatul Fitr is given in the form of staple foods commonly consumed in a community, such as rice, wheat, dates, barley, or maize. The prescribed amount is one ṣā‘, which scholars estimate to be roughly 2.5 to 3 kilograms of food per person.
The responsibility for paying Zakatul Fitr usually falls on the head of the household, who gives the charity on behalf of all dependents, including children. In this way, the entire family participates in an act of generosity that benefits those in need.
Timing is also an important aspect of the charity. Islamic scholars emphasize that Zakatul Fitr must be distributed before the Eid prayer, allowing the poor to prepare for the celebration. If it is given after the prayer, it may only count as ordinary charity rather than the special Ramadan obligation.
The essence of Zakatul Fitr lies in gratitude, purification, and compassion. After a month of fasting and spiritual reflection, Muslims are reminded that true worship should lead to kindness and generosity toward others.
Ultimately, Zakatul Fitr represents the final act that completes Ramadan. It purifies the fast, strengthens social solidarity, and spreads joy throughout the community as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Ramadan Day 26: Understanding the Importance of Zakatul Fitr Before Eid
![]()
metro
Police Rescue 5 Gateway Polytechnic Students After Gun Battle With Kidnappers
Police Rescue 5 Gateway Polytechnic Students After Gun Battle With Kidnappers
Five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, Ogun State, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers, have been rescued by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command after an intense intelligence-led operation involving multiple tactical units.
The students were reportedly kidnapped late on Monday, April 27, 2026, around the Sapade area in Remo North Local Government Area, throwing the institution and surrounding communities into panic.
According to the Ogun State Police Command, the incident was first reported at about 10:55 p.m. when officers at the Ipara Division received a distress call about a suspected abduction.
Police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that a patrol team immediately moved to the scene where they discovered an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood.
“The vehicle was observed with visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered from within,” Babaseyi said.
Further checks by operatives reportedly revealed an identity card belonging to a student of Gateway Polytechnic, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students of the institution.
READ ALSO:
- ASP Nuhu: Viral Delta Police Shooting Raises Questions Over Officer’s Past
- BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses
- “I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
The discovery prompted the immediate activation of a large-scale rescue mission ordered by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni.
According to the police, the rescue operation involved operatives from the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA.
Security teams subsequently launched coordinated bush-combing operations and tracking exercises across suspected escape routes used by the abductors.
Police authorities said the sustained pressure mounted by the operatives forced the kidnappers into a confrontation with security personnel during the rescue effort.
“During the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds,” Babaseyi stated.
The five students were eventually rescued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, less than 24 hours after the abduction.
Authorities confirmed that the victims were immediately evacuated from the forest, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to the physical and psychological conditions they suffered while in captivity.
Police also confirmed that no casualty was recorded among security operatives involved in the operation.
The Ogun State Police Command has since intensified bush-combing and manhunt operations to track down the fleeing suspects, with authorities expressing confidence that arrests will soon be made.
Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the tactical teams involved in the operation, describing the rescue as a result of swift coordination, intelligence gathering, and rapid deployment.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity affecting students and commuters across parts of Nigeria, particularly along highways and semi-rural communities.
Residents around Sapade and neighbouring communities have called for increased security patrols and surveillance around schools and major roads to prevent future attacks.
The police meanwhile urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking criminal groups operating within the state. (Royal News)
Police Rescue 5 Gateway Polytechnic Students After Gun Battle With Kidnappers
![]()
metro
ASP Nuhu: Viral Delta Police Shooting Raises Questions Over Officer’s Past
ASP Nuhu: Viral Delta Police Shooting Raises Questions Over Officer’s Past
The fatal shooting of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by a police officer in Effurun, Delta State, has continued to generate outrage across Nigeria, with fresh scrutiny now focused on the operational history and conduct of the officer identified as ASP Usman Nuhu.
The controversy began after a disturbing viral video surfaced online showing Ogidi seated on the ground with his hands tied behind his back while pleading for his life before he was shot at close range during a police operation along the Warri–Sapele Expressway.
In the footage, the victim repeatedly begged the officers not to kill him, insisting he had been misled by a friend and offering to cooperate with investigators.
“Officers, abeg, I go tell you everything. Na my friend deceive me. E dey Sapele. I go carry you go the place,” Ogidi was heard saying moments before the shooting.
Despite the suspect being restrained and posing no visible threat, an officer later identified as ASP Usman Nuhu allegedly cocked his rifle and fired directly at him. The suspect immediately collapsed as shocked residents and passers-by watched the scene unfold.
Following public outrage triggered by the video, the Delta State Police Command confirmed that the officer involved was ASP Usman Nuhu, attached to the Effurun Area Command.
Police spokesperson Bright Edafe stated that Ogidi had allegedly been arrested during an operation involving suspected illegal possession and transportation of a Beretta pistol and ammunition.
However, the command admitted that the shooting violated Force Order 237 and the Standard Operating Procedures of the Nigeria Police Force, which regulate the use of firearms during operations.
READ ALSO:
- BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses
- “I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
- “You Lack Power To Revoke My Certificate” — Kalu Tells Legal Education Council
The police subsequently arrested ASP Nuhu, queried him internally, and transferred him to Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings and possible prosecution.
As the case gained national attention, reports and eyewitness accounts also began emerging about the officer’s alleged operational history.
Several local reports claimed ASP Nuhu was known in parts of the Niger Delta by the nickname “Ogbegbe,” loosely translated as “Gun-shooter,” allegedly due to his aggressive operational style and frequent use of force.
Some residents and online commentators further alleged that he had previously served in tactical policing units, including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and may have faced complaints over excessive force in earlier postings.
Unverified reports also suggested that the officer had been transferred from previous commands following allegations of misconduct. However, no official police records confirming prior disciplinary action against him have been publicly released.
The growing revelations have intensified public criticism, with many Nigerians questioning how an officer accused of repeated aggressive conduct remained in active service.
Meanwhile, rights groups and civil society organisations have called for a broader investigation into all officers present during the incident, arguing that accountability should not stop with the officer who pulled the trigger.
Witnesses alleged that other officers were present during the operation and failed to intervene despite the suspect already being restrained.
The Delta State Police Command has maintained that investigations are ongoing and assured the public that justice will be served.
Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, condemned the incident and extended condolences to the family of the deceased, insisting that the command remains committed to transparency and accountability.
The killing of Mene Ogidi has once again reignited national conversations around police brutality in Nigeria, use of excessive force, and the need for deeper reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.
Human rights advocates have continued to demand stricter enforcement of operational guidelines, independent oversight, and tougher sanctions against officers involved in unlawful killings.
As disciplinary proceedings continue at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, many Nigerians say the outcome of the case will test the sincerity of ongoing promises of police reform and accountability.
ASP Nuhu: Viral Delta Police Shooting Raises Questions Over Officer’s Past
![]()
metro
“I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
“I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
IBADAN – For nearly four years, Eniola Fagbemi, better known as **Eniola Sisialagbo**, has built a small empire from her living room in Oyo State. With a warm smile and confident declarations of herbal expertise, she amassed nearly **400,000 followers on Facebook**—mostly Nigerians seeking solutions for fertility issues, infections, and male enhancement. But in the past 72 hours, that carefully crafted image has collapsed. A **private video**, allegedly showing Eniola, her husband **Hakeem**, and another woman in a sexual encounter, has leaked across Nigerian social media. The clip, believed to have originated in a **private WhatsApp group**, has since been shared thousands of times on **Facebook, Twitter (X), TikTok, and Instagram**. In the recording, Eniola is reportedly seen **filming the scene** while her husband engages with the second woman. The fallout has been brutal.
Eniola Sisialagbo was no ordinary influencer. She marketed herself as a **certified herbal expert**—a woman of faith who sold remedies for **stubborn infections, low sperm count, and fertility problems**. Her clients trusted her. Her followers admired her. Many viewed her as a **model of marital virtue**. That perception has now shattered. Within hours of the leak, Eniola’s social media pages were flooded with **insults, mockery, death threats, and calls for her business to be shut down**. Fellow Nigerians labeled her a **hypocrite**. Rivals celebrated her downfall. Even a woman claiming to be **Hakeem’s godmother** stepped forward—not to calm the storm, but to pour fuel on it. *“God just wanted to expose them,”* the woman said, adding that the video was *“leaked by mistake.”* The statement only deepened public ridicule.
READ ALSO:
- “You Lack Power To Revoke My Certificate” — Kalu Tells Legal Education Council
- Nigeria Clears 33 Ambassadors as 32 Await Host Country Approval
- “Hamzat Is Scared of Primaries” — Lagos APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plan
On the morning of April 29, 2026, Eniola posted a **raw, unfiltered apology** on her social media pages. Unlike the polished statements often issued by celebrities, hers read like a **cry for mercy**. She wrote: *“I own my mistakes and I apologize with all sincerity for the video circulating online. I am deeply sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me. This is a difficult phase for me. I pray for God’s forgiveness and my fans’ forgiveness.”* She then made a plea that stunned many readers: *“Please, let’s move past this because this media platform is where I get the little support I need to feed myself. Do not condemn or castigate me. I am already passing through a lot. I can’t eat or sleep for days, and even sleeping medications aren’t working any longer.”* It was the final line that alarmed mental health advocates most: *“I am deeply sorry, everyone. Please forgive me. I don’t want to injure myself. I only have a little strength left.”*
Eniola’s admission of **suicidal thoughts** and **self-harm ideation** has sparked a secondary debate across Nigerian social media. While some commenters continue to mock her, others have called for **immediate compassion**. Dr. Femi Adeyemo, a Lagos-based clinical psychologist who reviewed her statement, said: *“When someone says sleeping medication has stopped working and they cannot eat for days, that is a psychiatric emergency. Bullying her further could have tragic consequences.”* As of press time, Eniola has **locked comments** on her pages to prevent further harassment. She has not deactivated her accounts, but her herbal business—her only source of income—remains in freefall.
READ ALSO:
- Police Officer Arrested After Shooting Handcuffed Suspect Dead in Viral Video
- Malami Battles EFCC in Court Over ₦15.5bn Assets, Files 40-Page Defence
- Jet A1 Crisis: NAHCON Engages Presidency to Prevent Possible Increase in 2026 Hajj Fares
Legal analysts note that while the public is focused on Eniola’s conduct, the **original leak** of a private video may constitute a crime under Nigerian cyber laws. Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees privacy, and the **Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015** criminalizes non-consensual sharing of intimate images. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for leaking the video. Eniola’s husband, Hakeem, has **not issued any public statement**. The identity of the second woman in the video remains unknown.
Across Nigeria, reactions remain sharply split. **Sympathizers** argue that a private mistake—however embarrassing—should not destroy a woman’s ability to feed herself. They point out that **no law was broken** by Eniola herself, and that the real wrong was the leak. **Critics** counter that **public figures who preach morality** must be held to higher standards. *“She sold herbs based on trust,”* one commenter wrote. *“If she lies about her own life, why should we trust her medicine?”* Others simply express exhaustion with the cycle of leaks, apologies, and online mob justice.
As of this writing, Eniola Sisialagbo remains **at home in Oyo State**, reportedly under the watch of family members. Her social media presence has gone silent except for the locked apology post. No word has come from brand partners or herbal suppliers. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) has been shared widely in response to her plea, though it remains unclear whether Eniola has sought professional help. One thing is certain: the video will not disappear. But whether Eniola Fagbemi survives this—personally, professionally, or even physically—depends now not on the internet’s memory, but on its mercy.
**If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or contact a local mental health professional immediately.**
“I Can’t Eat or Sleep”: Sisialagbo Cries Out, Begs For Forgiveness Over Leaked Video
![]()
-
News1 day agoMURIC Condemns Rape of 11-Year-Old Hijab Girl in Ogun, Warns Against Cover-Up
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Lagos Politics Heats Up as Sanwo-Olu Endorses Deputy Governor Hamzat ( VIDEO)
-
Entertainment3 days agoHausa Is ‘Looser,’ Igbo ‘More Tortuous’ – Wole Soyinka Ranks Nigeria’s Three Major Languages
-
metro2 days agoArmy Engages Abuja Robbers, NYSC member Dies in Crossfire
-
Politics21 hours agoBREAKING: APC Chieftain Osifo Enters 2027 Race, Buys ₦100m Form to Challenge Tinubu
-
Education2 days agoJAMB Clarifies ‘No Result Yet’ Status, Sets 320 Cut-Off for Underage Candidates
-
Entertainment3 days agoBirthday Drama or Mischief? Funke Akindele Clears Air Over Pasuma ‘Snub’
-
metro6 hours agoPolice Officer Arrested After Shooting Handcuffed Suspect Dead in Viral Video


