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2022 Hajj: NAHCON signs agreement with air carriers

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The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, on Friday, signed Hajj airlift agreement with three successful airlines.

The airlines are Max Air, Azman Air and FlyNas. The former two are Nigerian-based, while FlyNas is the Saudi Arabian-based airline, satisfying the airlift quota sharing formula between the host country and other Hajj participating countries.

The NAHCON Chairman stated that the Commission’s advance team will leave for Saudi Arabia on the sixth of June, while the inaugural flight will take-off on 9th of June from Maiduguri, Borno State.

Seven airlines: Max Air, FlyNas, Azman Air, Med-View Airline, Skypower Express, Westlink Airlines and Arik Air, applied for the slots. After the exercise, those selected ranked the best three and were forwarded to the presidency for approval before sealing the contract agreement.

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States allocated to specific airlines are as follows: Max Air is to fly pilgrims from 13 States namely -Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Taraba.

Azman Air is entrusted with the conveyance of pilgrims from 16 States and the Armed Forces. The States are Kano, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, and Yobe. Meanwhile, FlyNas would fly pilgrims from Edo, FCT- Abuja, Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara- making eight States.

In his speech, the NAHCON Chief Executive Officer congratulated the successful airlines and enjoined them to treat all pilgrims with the VIP treatment which they deserved.

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He described the contract signing occasion as the beginning of Hajj operations because there cannot be Hajj without air transportation from Nigeria.

In his submission, Commissioner Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa described the gathering as epoch after almost three years without Hajj.

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He also congratulated the successful carriers, while directing them to see this as a challenge to do their best. The Commission, he said, had created an aviation monitoring committee saddled with the responsibility of monitoring their performances.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan presented a formal request for additional slots to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, but the Commission is still awaiting any response. Out of the 43,008 slots allocated to Nigeria, 71% went to states’ pilgrims, 21% to Licensed Tour Operators, and 8% for medical officials, security, aviation industry, and other pilgrims’ assistants.

In another development, the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Kunle Hassan on Thursday, inaugurated the Central Security Committee.

Committee members were drawn from National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Office of the Presidency, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigerian Police Force, NPF, National Drug, Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt, Practices, Commission, ICPC, Nigeria Security and Civil, Defense Corps, NSCDC, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, and Special Services Office (SSO).

Alhaji Hassan described the role of the committee as very important, whose impact would be felt by all.

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He urged them to be the Commission’s eyes and ears on all issues: be it pilgrims’ feeding, accommodation, medicals and transportation.

He lamented the fact that NAHCON does not have the luxury of time for preparations compared to previous years, adding that they are expected to be proactive and to always provide security for the safety of all pilgrims.

Chairman of the Central Security Committee and who doubles as representative of the presidency thanked NAHCON for the opportunity to serve the Nigerian State and the Almighty at the same time.

The Committee has the following terms of reference: Intelligence gathering on the activities of pilgrims both at onshore and offshore operational points in order to detect any action capable of tarnishing the image of the country;

Timely detection of corrupt activities of Hajj managers, as well as taking appropriate actions to guide against re-occurrence;

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Proactive actions to prevent any act of insecurity/attacks at various departure centers, Hajj camps and other areas where pilgrims are gathered through proper liaison with State commands of the various security organizations;

Conduct public opinions survey among the pilgrims on all aspects of welfare, feeding, accommodation, transportation, payment of BTA etc. during onshore/offshore operations, in order to ensure compliance with specifications as contained in the 2022 Hajj guidelines;

Intelligence gathering on the activities of Drug and Human trafficking syndicates at both on shore/off shore in order to detect perpetrators and take appropriate measure.

Any other matter that would enhance the security arrangement of 2022 Hajj.

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Crime

Ogun man arrested for allegedly setting wife ablaze after dispute

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Ogun man sets wife ablaze

A 55-year-old man has been arrested in Ogun State for allegedly setting his wife on fire following a dispute, sparking police investigation.

 

 

In a shocking incident of domestic violence, the Ogun State police have apprehended a 55-year-old man, Olubunmi Johnson, who allegedly set his wife ablaze following a disagreement in the Ota area of Ogun State.

The horrifying event reportedly took place at around 8:30 pm on Friday at their residence on Fagbuyi Street, Ilogbo, leaving the community in distress.

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Also read: Nigerian Army arrests Boko Haram suspects and kidnapping informants in Taraba

 

Johnson allegedly doused his wife, Kikelomo, with petrol before setting her on fire during an argument. Neighbours and witnesses rushed Kikelomo to the hospital, though her current condition remains undisclosed.

Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on Monday, explaining that officers from the Ilogbo Division responded swiftly after receiving a report from the victim’s relatives.

“The police officers from the Ilogbo Division quickly took action, resulting in the arrest of the 55-year-old suspect,” Odutola stated.

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Odutola added that while the exact cause of the dispute remains unclear, an investigation into the incident is underway, with charges of attempted murder being considered.

“The husband doused his wife’s body with petrol and set her on fire with a match. Witnesses to the incident immediately rushed her to the hospital,” she explained.

Johnson is now in custody as police examine the circumstances leading to this tragic case of domestic violence.

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This incident has sparked concerns across Ogun State about domestic violence, with many calling for more robust measures to address and prevent such acts.

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Ukraine receives bodies of 563 fallen soldiers in major repatriation effort

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Ukraine soldiers repatriation

Ukraine announced the repatriation of 563 soldiers’ bodies from Russia, marking one of the largest returns of fallen troops since the war began.

 

 

Ukraine confirmed on Friday that it had successfully received the bodies of 563 soldiers from Russian authorities, primarily troops who died in combat in the Donetsk region.

The exchange marks one of the largest returns of deceased Ukrainian servicemen since Russia’s invasion in 2022 and remains a rare area of cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow amidst the ongoing conflict.

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Also read: Ukraine relies on allies as Russia strikes power grid

 

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced the repatriation, stating, “The bodies of 563 fallen Ukrainian defenders were returned to Ukraine.”

According to the report, 320 of the remains came from the contested eastern Donetsk region, with 89 soldiers identified as having fallen near Bakhmut.

This town became a focal point of the conflict last year, where Russia seized control following a prolonged and deadly battle.

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In addition to the returns from Donetsk, the statement indicated that 154 bodies were returned from morgues inside Russia. This return highlights the humanitarian efforts involved, even as both nations continue to face intense hostilities.

Despite the heavy toll on both sides, neither Russia nor Ukraine has publicly released the total number of military personnel killed.

As the war continues, these periodic exchanges of fallen soldiers’ bodies and prisoners represent a limited yet significant area where the two sides maintain direct communication.

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Crime

Lagos State launches manhunt for driver who set LASTMA officer on fire

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Lagos State manhunt for LASTMA officer attacker

Lagos authorities launch manhunt for driver who set LASTMA officer ablaze during traffic stop, aiming to bring suspects to justice swiftly.

 

The Lagos State Government has commenced an intensive search for the driver responsible for setting a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer on fire during a confrontation in the Mile 2 area on Tuesday.

The driver, whose identity remains unknown, reportedly resisted arrest after LASTMA operatives apprehended him for a traffic violation.

 

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Also read: Lagos police arrest suspected cable vandal

 

In an alarming escalation, the driver doused petrol on his vehicle and LASTMA officers, setting the bus and one of the officials ablaze before fleeing the scene.

The LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the suspect and his assistant became hostile after being stopped for violating traffic rules.

Adebayo detailed that as officers approached the driver, he attempted to evade capture by setting his vehicle and nearby officers on fire.

The incident left one officer with severe burns, requiring immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital.

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While the injured officer was initially discharged, he experienced a deterioration in his condition early on Wednesday, resulting in an urgent readmission to the hospital.

“He was discharged after treatment but began experiencing intense pain around 3 am, which prompted a return to the hospital,” Adebayo reported.

The disturbing incident highlights the risks faced by LASTMA officers in their efforts to maintain road safety and compliance. In response, LASTMA has intensified its efforts to identify and arrest the driver and his assistant.

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“We have the vehicle’s registration number, and serious efforts are ongoing to apprehend the driver and his assistant,” said Adebayo. The government has assured the public that it will not relent until justice is served.

LASTMA has also issued a strong warning to commercial and private drivers, urging compliance with traffic regulations and respect for LASTMA officers.

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The agency underscored its commitment to upholding order on Lagos roads in line with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, stating that it will respond decisively to any acts of violence or intimidation against its officers.

The attack has prompted widespread condemnation and sparked a conversation about the safety of traffic management officers in Lagos, with officials calling for stricter measures to ensure the security of LASTMA personnel while they carry out their duties.

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