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JUST IN; President Tinubu directs NAHCON to reduce 2026 Hajj fares

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj fares that it had recently announced.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, made this known while briefing State House Correspondents after a meeting with the officials of NAHCON, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAHCON after due consultations with all the relevant stakeholders, announced the 2026 hajj fare as follows: Maiduguri-Yola Zone (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba) will pay N8,318,336.67.
Others are: Northern States will pay N8,244,813.67; while Southern States will pay N8,561,013.67, respectively.
However, Hadeija, said Tinubu felt the need for the commission to look at the possibility of reducing the hajj fare.
He said, ” This meeting was essentially called at the instance of His Excellency, the Vice-President to look at the possibility of reducing the Hajj fare for the 2026 pilgrimage.
” As you know, the hajj fare component is about 95 and 96 percent foreign exchange based.
“The fares announced by the NAHCON were based on a very pessimistic exchange rate of N1,550.
” And the rates have continue to improve steadily with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government taken place.”
Hadeija stated that the vice-president felt that, if during last hajj pilgrimage, pilgrims paid between N8.5 to N8.6 million based on negative exchange rate, now that the exchange rate had improved .
He continued,”Then we should also pass the benefits to them and all the officers of the Hajj commission are here and they have been told to immediately go to look at more realistic exchange rates.
” If they apply that we should be able to bring the hajj fare to N7.6 to N7.7 million.
“The final figure will be announced in the next two days.
” But this is also dependent on very quick remittance of the funds from the State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Boards.
” The faster the pilgrims pay their hajj fares and they are remitted to the hajj commission, the faster they can pass it to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to buy the dollars for them.
” So. If we achieve that, we for see a situation pilgrims this year will have a very significant reduction in the Hajj rate. “
On his part, the Chairman, Kebbi Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruk Yaro, expressed gratitude to Tinubu and Shettima for their timely intervention.
He said, ” We are very happy because, the president and the vice-president have already intervened.
” We thank God for what they have done which is expected to bring down the cost of hajj fare. “
Also, the Secretary of NAHCON, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, said, ” it is a welcome development and the lower the hajj fare is l, the more Muslims will have the opportunity of performing the hajj.
” So, as directed by the vice-president, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to see that we reduce it to an affordable rate where each and every Muslim will have the opportunity to perform this very important pillar of islam. ” (NAN)

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282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

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282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.

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The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

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According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.

He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.

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“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.

“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.

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“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”

“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.

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Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.

“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.

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80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army

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80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the voluntary surrender of 80 militants in Cross River State under the amnesty programme of the state government.

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The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Maj. Yemi Sokoya, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Sokoya said that the militants surrendered in the early hours of Friday, at Atimbo Rear Area, following Operation OKWOK, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, within the area of responsibility of the 13 Brigade.

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According to him, the repentant militants emerged from two camps, with one group led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presenting 39 fighters.

He said that the second camp, headed by John Isaac, also known as Akpokolo, submitted 41 fighters.

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Sokoya added that assorted arms, ammunition and other items, were also voluntarily surrendered during the exercise.

He said that these included: rifles, pump-action guns, single-barrel weapons, magazines, ammunition, speed boats, boat engines and other military-related equipment.

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The Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Paul Alimikhena, described the development as a major confidence-building milestone.

He attributed it to sustained military operations, constructive engagement and effective collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.

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He said that the brigade would continue to provide a secure environment, while supporting lawful initiatives aimed at reintegrating repentant youths, and ensuring lasting peace across in the area.

The commander said that the surrendered militants had been handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and were undergoing profiling by the state’s Department of State Services (DSS).

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He commended the State Government, under Gov. Bassey Otu, for its commitment to peace and security.

He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information. (NAN)

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My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help

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My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help

A Harare woman, Melocia Gwata, has successfully obtained a court-issued protection order against her husband, George Kusotera, following allegations of excessive sexual demands and physical abuse.

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The case was heard at the Harare Civil Court before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga, where Melocia detailed the severity of her ordeal. She told the court that her husband had coerced her into sexual activity up to eight times a night, resorting to violence whenever she refused.

“He wants to have s3x every day and wakes me up in the middle of the night, even after we’ve been intimate countless times on the same day,” Melocia stated.

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She further described how the abuse extended beyond physical coercion, with George allegedly threatening divorce and verbally assaulting her in front of their children.

“He has been assaulting me in front of our children, shouting obscenities and telling them I don’t deserve to be called their mother,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll the behaviour has taken on her and the family.

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In response, George acknowledged his actions, apologising to his wife and attributing his conduct to love. “I did not realise I was making her uncomfortable. I apologise and promise not to physically abuse her anymore,” he told the court.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Taruvinga granted Melocia a protection order, legally preventing her husband from further abuse and ensuring her safety.

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