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Bauchi State Police Command has stated that it has neutralised two bandits and recovered an AK49 rifle. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil revealed in a press release issued on Wednesday that on Tuesday, a coordinated tactical operation was initiated by the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with Special Hunters. According to
The National Coordinator of the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, has cautioned the acting Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, to be cautious in making any promise about a possible reduction in the 2025 Hajj fares. The coordinator, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said that
Group cautions NAHCON boss on 2025 Hajj fare reduction promise
The National Coordinator of the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, has cautioned the acting Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, to be cautious in making any promise about a possible reduction in the 2025 Hajj fares.
The coordinator, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said that Usman, who was screened by the Senate on Tuesday and is currently awaiting confirmation to become substantive chairman, had, during a BBC News and DCL Hausa interview, “spoke impressively on various issues and his intention to address some wide-ranging operational matters as soon as he settles down in office,” including a promise to reduce Hajj fare.
He maintained that the acting chairman should not have delved into such an “administratively sensitive issue.” With such a statement, Usman is “toeing a familiar, but bitter path” like his predecessors.
Muhammed quoted the NAHCON boss to have said that “the commission is working round the clock to ensure there is a reduction in the amount intending pilgrims would pay for the 2025 Hajj operation.”
He recalled: “This is the same promise made by your immediate predecessors that eventually put their administration under media pressure because they hurriedly made an unrealistic promise even when they were yet to know the intricate details involved in Hajj fare computation.
“Sir, you have to be wary of the booby trap and ensure that you made adequate consultations before making pronouncements.
“When the former chairman of NAHCON, Barr Kunle Hassan’s administration, resumed in February 2020, Hajj fare was within N1.5 million naira. Hajj fare rose to within N2.5 to 2.9 million under his watch. Jalal Arabi assumed office; he met Hajj fare at N3 million but he presided over Hajj, where pilgrims paid a minimum of N6.5 million.
“Sir, the circumstances and factors that shut up Hajj fare under their watch can repeat itself and that is why you need to be more cautious when making public statements. Mistakes, especially the ones in the public domain, are costly and sometimes, somebody must pay either way.”
Muhammed maintained that the single determinant factor of Hajj fare in Nigeria is the exchange rate and NAHCON has no authority to influence the price of naira to a dollar at any point in time.
He added that another factor is the significant reduction in the cost of airfare or accommodation in Makkah and Madina “because the three components take the larger percentage of Hajj costs.”
“More disturbing is that the promise to reduce hajj fare comes less than 24 hours after the NAHCON spokesperson released a statement clarifying the position of the government on the exchange rate.
“The statement categorically stated that the government will not subsidise or grant concessionary exchange rates on (2025) Hajj fare,” he added.
While expressing confidence in the capacity and administrative profundity of the acting chairman to significantly reduce the cost of 2025 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims, the IHR leader advised him to learn from past experiences and allow the result of his actions to speak on behalf of NAHCON.
Group cautions NAHCON boss on 2025 Hajj fare reduction promise
An ex-convict, Sunday Omisakin, has been remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre, Osun State, just eight days after receiving a state pardon from Governor Ademola Adeleke. Omisakin, DAILY POST gathered was number 8 among the the list of 53 inmates pardoned on December 26, 2024, under the governor’s prerogative of mercy by Governor Adeleke for
Ex-convict remanded for burglary eight days after pardon by Gov Adeleke
An ex-convict, Sunday Omisakin, has been remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre, Osun State, just eight days after receiving a state pardon from Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Omisakin, DAILY POST gathered was number 8 among the the list of 53 inmates pardoned on December 26, 2024, under the governor’s prerogative of mercy by Governor Adeleke for a reportedly “simple offence”.
Following his release, Omisakin was accused of burgling a residence in Osogbo on January 3, 2025.
He allegedly stole a plasma television valued at ₦600,000 during the incident.
The police apprehended him shortly after the alleged burglary.
Omisakin was charged before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo, presided over by Magistrate Adekanmi Adeyeba on two count charges of burglary and stealing.
The charges state that Omisakin unlawfully broke into a private property with the intent to commit theft. The stolen television was reportedly recovered during investigations by the authorities.
The court ordered that the defendant be remanded at the correctional facility pending further legal proceedings. His case has been adjourned to a later date for hearing.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Kayode Adeoye, said: “Omisakin on the 3rd day of January 2025 about 12:00pm in Al-medinat Area, Iludun, Osogbo broke and entered the house of one Shittu Damilare ‘m’ and stole one Plasma TV valued N600,000.
“The offence committed is contrary to and punishable under section 411 (1) (2) 363, 390(9) of criminal code cap 34 vol.II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.”
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence as his counsel, Najite Okobe, urged the court to admit him to bail in most liberal terms.
The prosecutor opposed the bail, stating: “The governor pardoned him a few days ago. He was sentenced to prison by Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara and he was not done serving his jail term.”
This incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of reintegration programmes for pardoned ex-convicts and the need for measures to prevent recidivism.
The Osun State chapter for the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, CDHR, had through its Chairman, Emmanuel Olowu on Monday called on Nigerians to pressure the Ademola Adeleke administration to urgently rehabilitate the fifty two inmates pardoned on December, 2024.
The call by the human rights organisation repeatedly came is after reports by that Omisakin returned to crime and is presently remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Service facility.
Omisakin had been previously remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre.
Ex-convict remanded for burglary eight days after pardon by Gov Adeleke
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