The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says that Saudi Authorities have set deadlines for the 2026 Hajj operations, emphasizing that these deadlines are sacrosanct to ensure a smooth, well-coordinated, and successful exercise.
NAHCON stated in a press release by its Information Officer, Malam Abdulbasit Abba, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Abba stated that this was revealed during a virtual meeting with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah regarding preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
He said that the meeting was led by Ustaz Abdallah Ash Shihry, Acting Director-General and Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
“In the course of the meeting, the Saudi authorities reiterated the important deadlines that remain sacrosanct, including the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in November.
“Jan. 4, 2026, is the last day to finalise camp booking payments and confirmation of service contract packages.
“Feb. 1, 2026, has been set as the deadline for uploading of transport and accommodation contracts on Nusuk Masar Portal, while the first of Shawwal remains strictly the deadline for visa issuance. Representatives of the Ministry emphasized that these deadlines will not be shifted.
“Members from the Hajj and Umar Ministry lamented several incidents involving late preparations from our local end, noting that delays could have negative consequences on the welfare and overall experience of pilgrims,” he said.
According to the information officer, the Saudi authorities have also appealed to NAHCON to remind Nigerian intending pilgrims of the consequences of visa violation.
“The ministry declared that anyone caught performing Hajj without a Hajj visa will face a penalty of 20,000 Saudi Riyals (N8.158 million) and imprisonment.
“In addition, it emphasised that all Hadaya (sacrificial rites) payments and accommodation bookings must be carried out exclusively through the Nusuk Masar platform,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, reassured the host country of its commitment to cooperation on any arrangement that will ensure the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
Usman said that the commission would work closely with relevant partners to ensure compliance with all deadlines and requirements, thereby guaranteeing a smooth, well-coordinated and successful 2026 Hajj operation.
Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father
A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has sentenced 24-year-old Dahiru Yusuf Abbah to death by hanging for the killing of his father, Dahiru Yusuf.
Justice M.M. Gwatana handed down the sentence after finding that the prosecution had proved the case of culpable homicide against Abbah beyond reasonable doubt.
The court heard that the incident occurred on October 5, 2024, in the Sarkin-Noma area of Lokoja, when Abbah allegedly attacked his father and inflicted stab wounds on his chest and back.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment but died on October 9, 2024, from injuries sustained during the attack.
Abbah was subsequently arrested and arraigned on charges of culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy under Sections 221 and 97(1) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019, as amended.
During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses, including the deceased’s wife, Hajia Jumai Dahiru, and two of the defendant’s siblings.
Several exhibits were also presented before the court, including a blood-stained shirt, blood samples, a knife, a digital forensic report and a compact disc analysis.
Although none of the prosecution witnesses testified that they directly saw Abbah stab his father, the court found that the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to establish his involvement in the killing.
Justice Gwatana said the evidence, including the defendant’s blood-stained clothing and testimonies from members of the deceased’s family, linked Abbah to the fatal attack.
The court also considered the defendant’s failure to call a witness in his defence, apart from an Islamic cleric whose testimony about an inheritance dispute was considered unrelated to the central issue before the court.
The judge said the case before the court was a matter of culpable homicide, not an inheritance dispute.
Justice Gwatana convicted Abbah of culpable homicide but discharged him on the separate criminal conspiracy charge, ruling that the prosecution had not established that count to the required standard.
The court subsequently sentenced him to death by hanging for the killing of his father.
However, the judgment is not necessarily the end of the legal process. Defence lawyers Mohammed S. Inuwa and Mohammed S. Maihaja indicated that their client would appeal the conviction and sentence.
The defence reportedly challenged aspects of the evidence relied upon by the court in reaching its decision.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Bala, head of the deceased’s family, welcomed the judgment and said the family had been seeking justice for the victim.
The case could now proceed to the appellate courts if the defendant files the proposed appeal.
Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father
Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested
A traditional ruler in Ayeka, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, High Chief Akinwalere Akinola, has been shot dead during the burial rites of a fellow traditional ruler.
The incident occurred on Tuesday as traditional rulers, community leaders and other mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony.
Akinola was reportedly struck in the head by a bullet during the proceedings and died from his injuries.
The shooting triggered panic among mourners and disrupted the burial ceremony as people scrambled for safety.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Some accounts in the community have described it as an accidental discharge, but the police have not confirmed that explanation.
The Ondo State Police Command has, however, confirmed the death and announced the arrest of one suspect in connection with the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said a thorough investigation had commenced.
“One suspect arrested. Meanwhile, thorough investigation has commenced,” Jimoh said.
The police have not publicly identified the suspect or disclosed the type of firearm involved.
Investigators are expected to establish who was handling the weapon, how it was discharged and whether the shooting was accidental or deliberate.
A video reportedly showing part of the funeral gathering circulated online after the incident, although the full circumstances surrounding the footage and the shooting have not been independently established.
The death has thrown Ayeka community into mourning, coming at a ceremony intended to honour another traditional ruler who had died.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the presence and handling of firearms during public gatherings and traditional ceremonies.
For now, the police investigation remains ongoing, and no official conclusion has been reached on whether the shooting was accidental or intentional.
Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested
NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has warned Nigerians, particularly job seekers, against fake recruitment advertisements and forged appointment letters being circulated by fraudsters seeking to deceive members of the public.
The warning was contained in a public notice issued by the Fund and circulated to its Regional and Branch Managers through a memorandum dated October 5, 2026, signed by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdu.
NSITF said it is not currently recruiting for any position, describing employment advertisements circulating on social media, particularly Facebook, as fake.
The Fund said individuals and groups were falsely presenting themselves as representatives of NSITF and using purported employment opportunities to target unsuspecting members of the public.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such advertisements and not make payments to anyone in exchange for employment opportunities.
NSITF stressed that it does not charge applicants any fee for employment and does not conduct recruitment through unofficial social media platforms or other unauthorised channels.
The Fund said genuine NSITF recruitment opportunities, whenever available, would be announced through its official communication channels.
“Stay alert, stay safe,” the Fund advised, urging anyone who encounters suspicious recruitment advertisements or requests to avoid responding and report them to the appropriate NSITF authorities.
The Fund has also directed all its Regional and Branch Managers to prominently display the warning at strategic locations within their offices.
The directive covers reception areas, main entrances and exits, notice boards, SERVICOM desks and other locations accessible to staff and members of the public.
NSITF said the notices should remain visible to help protect job seekers and other members of the public from fraudulent recruitment activities.
The Fund further urged Nigerians to verify recruitment claims through official NSITF channels before providing personal information, making payments or taking any other action.
The NSITF warning comes amid continued concerns over online recruitment scams in which fraudsters exploit job seekers by offering supposed government employment in exchange for money or personal information.
NSITF reiterated that legitimate employment opportunities would be communicated through its recognised channels and warned Nigerians to remain vigilant when responding to unsolicited job offers.
NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters
