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2024 Hajj: Board cautions intending pilgrim against paying to agents
ABUJA —The Edo Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has warned intending pilgrims to the 2024 Hajj against making payment into the accounts of agents.
The board advised them to pay the N4.5 million deposit directly into the board’s account.
Sheikh Ibrahim Oyarekhua, the Chairman of the board gave the advice on Sunday in Benin while speaking with newsmen.
The board chairman said that the warning was to further raise the consciousness of the people to the antics of fraudsters.
“We don’t patronise agent. Though we have our resource persons, who, if they are able to convince anybody on Hajj, give the board’s account number to the person to pay direct by himself,” he said.
Oyarekhua said s that the board had communicated the new deadline for payment to the pilgrims, using the media as an avenue to reach them.
“We have coopted Imams across the state to include Hajj in their Friday sermons so that we can reach out to all intending pligrisms this year,”he said.
He said that the board was making preparation in terms of accommodation, feeding and transportation and other things to make the Hajj a hitch free for the pilgrims.
He said that there may be variations in Hajj fare this year, adding that he it will depend on how cheap states are able to secure accommodations in the Holy land.
“For now, It is still N4.5 million, it is after our operation in Saudi Arabia that the final fare would be announced after all the components that made up the Hajj are put together.
“Intending pilgrims should pay the N4.5 million and after the final fare is announced, if it is above the amount, they will have to pay the balance.
“If is less than that, the board will refund the amount to them,” he said.
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed that the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the emirship dispute remains valid, dismissing claims that it has been overturned.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, clarified that the court’s decision to grant a stay of execution does not nullify its January 10, 2025, judgment, which upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Addressing journalists in Kano, Dederi said, “The Court of Appeal’s stay of execution is a standard judicial procedure. It does not overturn the court’s ruling but rather maintains the status quo until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict.”
The legal dispute stems from an appeal filed at the Supreme Court by Alhaji Aminu Baba Dan’Agundi, a staunch supporter of the deposed 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
The government reassured residents that the appeal process does not invalidate the reinstatement of Sanusi II.
“The judgment of the Court of Appeal is still standing and subsisting. Only the Supreme Court has the power to overturn it,” Dederi emphasised.
The government also expressed concerns over what it described as misleading reports aimed at causing confusion among Kano residents.
Dederi urged the public to disregard any false narratives suggesting that the emirship ruling had been nullified.
“We are committed to due process and legal procedures. Our legal team is carefully reviewing the latest ruling to determine the next course of action,” he stated.
The government called on the people of Kano to remain law-abiding and not be provoked by misinformation.
It reassured residents of its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the state as the legal battle over the emirship continues.
The Pan Delta Forum (PANDEF) youth wing has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, to retract his disparaging remarks against the Ijaw nation and PANDEF leaders.
According to the youth wing’s national president, Doben Donyegha, Wike’s remarks were embarrassing and annoying, especially coming less than 24 hours after PANDEF’s delegation met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Donyegha also called on President Tinubu to sack Wike from his cabinet, stating that the youth wing no longer had confidence in him.
Furthermore, Donyeha urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate Wike over allegations of land-grabbing activities in the FCT.
Security Operatives, Vigilantes Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper In Nasarawa
Awanted kidnapping suspect was on Friday killed in a joint operation by operatives of the Nasarawa State police command, Nigerian Army and vigilante groups in Akwanga Local Government Area.
Spokesperson for the command, Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
It read, “The Nasarawa State Police Command, in its relentless drive to curb criminal activities, has collaborated with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups to successfully neutralize a notorious and wanted kidnapper during a joint security operation in Akwanga, Nasarawa state
“This achievement occurred on March 14, 2025, at about 2200 hours, when security operatives tracked down the suspect, identified as Abdullahi (surname unknown), also known as “Honor”, a well-known armed robber and kidnapper who had been on the command’s wanted list for multiple offenses.”
According to Mr Nansel, the neutralised suspect, whose accomplice escaped with gunshot wounds, had in his possession weapons which were recovered by the security operatives.
“He was intercepted near the Akwanga Central Mosque while riding a motorcycle. During the operation, the suspect attempted to evade arrest and was fatally shot. A search of the suspect led to the recovery of: One Beretta pistol without bridge number, Twelve rounds of 9mm live ammunition.
“One accomplice managed to escape with gunshot wounds, and a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The deceased suspect’s body has been evacuated to Akwanga General Hospital Mortuary for post mortem examination.”
Commending the operatives for their professional conduct and effective collaboration, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, urged them to maintain the momentum in the fight against criminal elements in the state, and warned criminals to desist from their nefarious activities or face decisive action.