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Hajj: CSO commends NAHCON, states, airlines, service providers for smooth conduct of operations

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A faith‐based Civil Society Organization, CSO in the Hajj and Umrah industry, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has commended the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, airlines involved in flight operations for pilgrims and service providers in both Saudi Arabia, including the pilgrims themselves for a successful handling of operations concerning intending pilgrims to Hajj 2025 from Nigeria.

The CSO, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, and released on Saturday, said the commission has facilitated the airlift of over 21,075 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

“Information at our disposal shows that almost everyone involved in the airlift and reception operations are up and doing, hence the successes recorded so far.

“We are particularly happy that almost all the pilgrims so far, apart from 547 from Kano, landed in Madinah. This is commendable.

“Special commendation also goes to all officials across the states who promptly mobilise their pilgrims to transit camps and the airlines for always arriving on time for departure. We lauded the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the seamless process of processing Visa – one of the critical challenges to pilgrim’s airlift in the past.

“We are also unaware of any pilgrims’ complaints regarding issuance of BTA, room allocation in Madina or feeding. The NAHCON advance team are doing what they were sent to do, and we can only commend them and urge them to do more,” the statement said.

IHR, however, urged all involved to sustain the same degree of commitment as pilgrims transit Madina to Makkah.

“Average Nigerian Pilgrims will spend 29 to 30 days in Makkah as compared to 4-5 days in Madina. That is where the major services will be put on the scale of measurement,” it added.

The group also calls on private tour operators whose pilgrims will start travelling to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to take a que from the operations so far and also have a near seamless exercise.

“Finally, we urge that the real work will start on 8 of Dhul Hijja when pilgrims will move to Mashair for the Hajj days. Recurring problems revolve around feeding and bed spaces in Mina,” it concluded.

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FG slams Senator Natasha with Criminal defamation charges against Akpabio, Bello

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

 

The Federal Government has formally filed criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly making damaging allegations against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

FG’s suit which was filed by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi hinges on three courts criminal charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly making damaging allegations against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Former Governor Yahaya Bello

Source within the office of the Attorney General revealed that the suit was filed under Charge No. CR/1277/25 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, before Honourable Justice C. N. Oji, the three-count charge was brought by the Department of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation.

In a statement that was made available to newsmen in Abuja Thursday,”The government is accusing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making imputations intended to harm reputations, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

“The first count centers on a televised interview granted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on Channels Television’s political programme, “Politics Today”, aired on April 3, 2025.

“In the interview, the Senator accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of plotting her assassination in collaboration with former Governor Yahaya Bello.”

Responding to a question from anchor Seun Okinbaloye, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated: “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night, ehm… to eliminate me.”

She further implied that the withdrawal of her official security details by the Senate upon her suspension was a deliberate plot to make her “vulnerable to attacks,” suggesting an orchestrated attempt on her life.

Prosecutors argued that these public statements were made with knowledge or reason to believe they would damage Senator Akpabio’s reputation.

Continuing,”The second count mirrors the first, on the imputation against Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan told the same television audience that a plan to assassinate her was not to be carried out in Abuja, but in Kogi State, under Bello’s watch.

In her words: “A week and a few days later when [Akpabio] met with [Bello], he then emphasized that I should be killed… I delayed going home because I had to put some measures on ground.”

“She claimed to have reported the threats to the Inspector General of Police and made efforts to inform security operatives.”

The prosecution contends that these allegations, made on national television, not only tarnished the character of Yahaya Bello, but also presented a grave national security concern, especially given the implications of political violence.

In a third charge, “the Federal Government alleges that on March 27, 2025, during a telephone conversation with one Sandra C. Duru, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made a horrifying claim implicating Senate President Akpabio in an alleged killing and organ harvesting.”

According to court documents, she stated:“There was this girl that was killed, what’s her name, umm… Iniobong Umoren… her organs were actually used for [Akpabio’s] wife, because the wife was really ill three years ago…”

This claim, “referencing a real-life murder case that once shocked the nation, is now being legally framed as a malicious and unsubstantiated attack on Senator Akpabio’s character, capable of inciting public outrage and diminishing public confidence in the leadership of the National Assembly.”

The government maintains that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan acted recklessly and with malicious intent, abusing her public platform to spread defamatory and inflammatory statements that have far-reaching consequences for national peace, security, and democratic integrity.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was not in court as she refused service from bailiffs. Justice Orji, however, ordered that efforts should not be spared in ensuring that she is served before the next adjourned date.

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FCT budget:Wike seeks national support to address security 

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FCT Minister Barr.Nyesome Wike
By Our Reporter
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has sounded the alarm about the FCT budget:Wike seeks national support to address security  and health challenges facing Abuja, stressing the need for coordinated national support to effectively address them.
While defending the FCT’s budget before Senators in Abuja at the National Assembly Complex,Wike highlighted the territory’s unique status as the seat of the Presidency, National Assembly, and foreign diplomatic missions, making it impossible to operate independently like other states
“You can not discuss autonomy in a city where the President resides, where the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and every corporate head of the country operates from,” Wike emphasized. “The security of this city is not something we can handle alone.”
Wike revealed that the FCT Administration is collaborating with key federal agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police, to bolster security. “This city requires total security architecture because of its national importance,” he added.
The Minister expressed frustration over the lack of functional surveillance infrastructure, such as CCTV cameras, citing political sabotage and bureaucratic bottlenecks as major obstacles. “You wonder why we still can’t have effective CCTV coverage in the capital,” he lamented.
Wike cautioned critics pushing for FCT autonomy to consider the constitutional and security implications, warning that a simplified view of governance could lead to operational chaos. “The FCT is not like any other state,” he clarified. “You don’t have a House of Assembly here; our laws are made by the National Assembly.”
To address the pressing challenges, Wike proposed a multi-sectoral summit involving security, health, and FCT stakeholders to develop a unified roadmap. “The issues we face here are complicated and cannot be solved in isolation,” he said. “We need a coordinated effort that brings all stakeholders together.”
On healthcare, Wike announced that the FCTA has completed the procurement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scanners to improve diagnostics in FCT hospitals. “As of yesterday, we completed procurement processes for an MRI and CT scan machine,” he said. “These will be delivered to our health facilities soon, improving access to quality medical care in the territory.”
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NPF Condemns Unprovoked Attack on IRT Operatives in Edo State.       ‎*As IGP Orders Investigation into Oyo Tragic Traffic Incident

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By Our Reporter
‎The Nigeria Police Force has condemned the unprovoked attack on police operatives in the early hours of Monday at Okhuimwun Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Edo state governor, Monday ,Monday Okpebholo

‎The operatives, who are members of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), were in transit from Lagos through Edo State when they encountered a mob that had blocked the road immediately after the University of Benin (UNIBEN) axis. The mob, in an unlawful display of aggression, descended on the officers with stones, sticks, and other dangerous objects, inflicting serious injuries on two police personnel.
‎It is noteworthy that despite the provocation and threat to life, the officers exercised commendable restraint by not resorting to the use of force. The injured officers are currently receiving medical attention and are in stable condition.
‎The Nigeria Police Force warns against acts of lawlessness and unprovoked aggression against its personnel who are committed to maintaining law and order and hereby assure the public that investigations have commenced, and appropriate legal actions will be taken against those found culpable.
‎In a separate development, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into a tragic incident in Oyo State involving personnel of the Oyo State Police Command and the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA), which led to the unfortunate demise of a 14-year-old boy, Kehinde Alade.
‎The Inspector-General of Police condemned the incident and assured that the officer involved in the shooting has been taken into custody while a full-scale investigation is underway. He equally reiterated that the  process will be transparent, and its findings will be made public to ensure justice is duly served as he expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased young man.
‎The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges citizens to remain law-abiding and to channel grievances through lawful and peaceful means.
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