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The Hajj Commission has issued a strong public warning over the activities of fraudulent travel agents and fake social media accounts allegedly claiming to facilitate the procurement of Hajj visas, despite the official closure of visa issuance by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to the Commission, Saudi authorities shut the Hajj visa issuance process on 1st Shawwal 1447 AH (March 20, 2026), effectively ending all legitimate applications for the current pilgrimage cycle.

In a public announcement, the Commission stressed that all eligible intending pilgrims had already been captured before the deadline.

“Visa issuance for the 2026 Hajj has been concluded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and all eligible registered pilgrims were processed before the official closure date,” the Commission stated.

The authority further cautioned that no alternative visa categories could be used to perform the pilgrimage.
“Hajj cannot be performed using tourist, Umrah or work visas. The only recognised authorisation is a valid Hajj permit issued through official channels,” it warned.

The Commission also highlighted strict penalties imposed by Saudi authorities on offenders caught performing Hajj without proper documentation, including imprisonment of up to six months, fines reaching SAR 20,000 (about N8.15 million), deportation, and a 10-year re-entry ban.

“Anyone found performing Hajj without a valid permit will face severe sanctions as prescribed by Saudi regulations, including arrest, deportation, and long-term travel restrictions,” it added.

Officials advised the public to rely strictly on recognised platforms such as the Nusuk system and state pilgrim welfare agencies, warning against making payments to unofficial agents promising “guaranteed Hajj visas.”

The Commission urged vigilance and encouraged citizens to report fraudulent operators to relevant security agencies.

Hajj Commission warns against fake visa agents, says Saudi has closed issuance

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his willingness to step aside for Peter Obi if the ex-Anambra governor emerges the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in 2027.

During an interview on Arise News on Wednesday evening, Atiku was asked directly whether he would step aside if Obi wins the ADC presidential primary.

Atiku and Peter Obi are regarded as the front runners for ADC’s presidential ticket.

Others, such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi, are also believed to be in the running for the ADC ticket.

Asked if he would step down for Obi, if the former Labour Party presidential candidate gets the ADC ticket, Atiku said, “Yes, I will step aside for any winner.”

Asked if “any winner includes Peter Obi”, Atiku said, “Of course, if he is a contender, why not?”

Further asked if it would not be difficult for him to do so since Obi was his vice presidential running mate, Atiku said, “What is difficult there? It is democracy. It is either you go through consensus or you go through election. You emerge through consensus or emerge through the electoral process.”

2027: I’ll step aside for Peter Obi if he wins ADC presidential ticket – Atiku

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the ruling party does not coerce individuals to join its fold, insisting that membership remains entirely voluntary. Yilwatda made the assertion during a media chat while addressing concerns over the influx of politicians from opposition parties into the APC and the […]

The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Iyabode Yerima, has released a total of 78 inmates from the Agodi and Abolongo custodial centres of the Nigeria Correctional Service in a move to decongest the facilities. A total of 40 inmates were freed from the Agodi Custodial Centre on Tuesday, while 38 inmates from the Abolongo Custodial […]

Flooding has become a recurring environmental and economic challenge in rapidly developing urban centers such as Lagos. 

The Niger State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the state.

The assurance was given during a courtesy visit by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the ICPC in Niger State, Mr. Kennedy Ebhotemen, who led a delegation to the Assembly.

The Speaker, Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, received the delegation alongside other members of the House at the Assembly Complex in Minna.

In his remarks, the Speaker appreciated the ICPC team for the visit, describing it as timely and significant.

He assured the Commission of the Assembly’s readiness to work closely with it in advancing anti-corruption efforts and strengthening institutional integrity in the State.

He noted that the visit would further strengthen the existing relationship between the Niger State House of Assembly and the ICPC, adding that both institutions remain committed to sustained collaboration for the development of the State.

In his response, Ebhotemen appreciated the Speaker and members of the Assembly for the warm reception accorded him and his team.

He highlighted the mandate of the Commission, which include the prevention of corruption, public enlightenment against corrupt practices, and enforcement of compliance with anti-corruption laws.

Niger Assembly reaffirms commitment to collaborate with ICPC

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed criticisms from opposition parties, insisting that their internal crises are self-inflicted and not the responsibility of the ruling party.

Speaking during an ongoing APC nationwide media chat, Oshiomhole said it would be unrealistic to expect the APC to manage the affairs of rival parties.

“You cannot expect us, as a political party, to set up a department to manage opposition political parties so they don’t run into crisis,” he said.

He added that while the APC is open to offering guidance where necessary, opposition parties must take responsibility for resolving their own challenges.

“We are ready to offer help to political parties to resolve crises, but it is not our job to manage them,” he stated.

Reacting to claims that opposition parties lack the financial strength of the APC, Oshiomhole dismissed the argument, noting that access to resources is not limited to the ruling party.
“I don’t care if they say they don’t have as much resources as the APC,” he said.

The former governor also pointed to the APC’s history in opposition, stressing that the party built its structure without relying on government resources.
“We were in opposition for a long time and did not depend on state resources,” he noted.

Oshiomhole further emphasised that the APC sustains itself through internal funding, particularly membership dues paid by both members and party workers.
“Our party still derives funding from membership fees, we insist members pay, and even party workers contribute,” he said.

The remarks reflect the APC’s continued effort to portray itself as institutionally strong and financially independent amid ongoing political contestation.

Resolving opposition parties’ crises not APC’s responsibility – Oshiomhole

Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has revealed the sources of his wealth.

Atiku is said to have an estimated net worth of between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, the former vice president said he amassed his fortune through diverse investments in logistics, real estate, agriculture, and education.

Atiku, who is considered one of Nigeria’s wealthiest politicians, said he has never been accused of corruption because the sources of his wealth are pure and open.

“Before I went into politics, I was already in business. I was in oil and gas, logistics. I was in agriculture.

“I was in a number of economic sectors of the country. Before I became… I virtually set up PDP.

“I virtually funded it. Why was I not being accused of corruption that time?”

He added, “The President (Obasanjo) set up a panel to probe me. That panel included El-Rufai, Nuhu Ribadu, and so many others.

“I waved my immunity and asked them to probe me.”

Atiku is one of the leading contenders for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket for the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku reveals sources of his wealth, says he funded setting up of PDP

Sporting Lagos head coach, Jeffery Buttler, has described their final game of the 2025-26 season against Osun United as the biggest of their lives.

The club will take on Osun United at the Lanre Leke Stadium, Ileogbo, Osogbo on Thursday.

Sporting Lagos need a win in the game to have any chance of returning to the top-flight.

Second-placed Akwa United are one point adrift.

Buttler believes that all the hardwork since the start of the season is needed to achieve their target.

“You are about to play the biggest game of your lives,” Buttler stated in his address to the players ahead of the game.

“All the hardwork for the past eight months is needed if you re to gain promotion to the NPFL.

“It’s left for you players if you are going to make history with the club, you will have to fight.”

NPFL: Sporting Lagos ready for final day promotion push – Buttler

Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has revealed that manager Antonio Conte told him to sell Victor Osimhen and not Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the past.

According to De Laurentiis, Paris Saint-Germain had tabled a combined €200 million bid for both stars, but Napoli ultimately lost Kvaratskhelia to the French club, while Osimhen ended up at Galatasaray.

Reflecting on the decision, De Laurentiis confessed as he told The Athletic, “When we started with Conte, we received an offer of €200 million from PSG and others to sell Victor Osimhen and Kvara together.

“Conte said, ‘Osimhen, you can sell, but please don’t sell Kvara. This was a big mistake.”

Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen have been impressive since joining PSG and Galatasaray, respectively.

Conte told me to sell Osimhen, not Kvaratskhelia – Napoli’s De Laurentiis regrets big mistake