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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced fares ranging from N7,560,822 to N7,882,822 for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2027 Hajj exercise.

The commission made the announcement on Friday in a public notice, stating that the fares were approved by the Federal Government and determined according to pilgrims’ departure zones.

Under the approved structure, intending pilgrims from the Maiduguri/Yola zone will pay N7,560,822, while those from other northern states will pay N7,672,822. Pilgrims from the southern states will pay N7,882,822.

NAHCON said the fares were determined based on consultations with the leadership of the Forum of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, service providers in Saudi Arabia, prevailing exchange rates and service costs.

The commission said the new fares were guided by the principles of transparency and cost efficiency, as well as the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

“In line with the principle of transparency, cost-efficiency, and the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announces the 2027 Hajj fares approved by the Federal Government,” the commission stated.

The 2027 fares are slightly higher than those paid for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

For the 2026 pilgrimage, intending pilgrims from the Maiduguri/Yola zone, comprising Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Taraba states, paid N7,579,209.96, while those from other northern states and the southern states paid N7,696,769.76 and N7,991,411.76, respectively.

NAHCON urged intending pilgrims who had already made an initial deposit of N5 million to pay the outstanding balance to complete their registration.

Those yet to make any payment but interested in performing the 2027 Hajj were advised to pay the approved fare through their respective State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies or Commissions, or through approved Hajj Savings Scheme participating banks.

The commission also announced September 26, 2026, as the final deadline for the complete upload of intending pilgrims’ biometric data on the designated Nusuk-Masar digital platform.

According to NAHCON, the deadline is in compliance with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s policy and will not be extended.

“In strict compliance with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s policy, NAHCON has fixed September 26, 2026, as the final and absolute deadline for the complete upload of intending pilgrims’ biometric data on the designated Nusuk-Masar digital platform, while remittance of all 2027 Hajj fares by states must be completed by 2nd December 2026,” it stated.

The commission further directed states to complete the remittance of all 2027 Hajj fares by December 2, 2026, warning that failure to meet the deadlines could lead to the forfeiture of allocated Hajj slots.

“No extension will be granted beyond this deadline, as data synchronisation and seat allocations depend entirely on timely remittances,” NAHCON said.

“The Commission wishes to emphasise that failure to meet the set deadlines will result in forfeiture of the allocated Hajj slots,” it added.

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Authorities in the United Kingdom have yet again thwarted a plot by South America cartels to smuggle cocaine into the country with a three-tonne bust at London Gateway.

The National Crime Agency NCA, said that on August 6, officers intercepted a 2.9 tonne consignment of cocaine that was hidden in a load of bananas, among the largest seizures in recent months. The drugs, which are estimated to have a street value of $313 million, originated from the banana-producing, cocaine-trafficking regions of South America. Nine men were arrested as part of the investigation.

Although authorities did not reveal the identity of the vessel, they said that NCA intelligence led to the seizure at the London Gateway port that in recent months has been used as an entry point by South American drug cartels targeting the lucrative UK market. The drugs were removed and the container allowed to be collected.

“This is a very significant seizure which has deprived the organised crime group behind it of huge profits. That is money that cannot be ploughed back into further crime,” said Dave Phillips, NCA senior investigating officer.

The London Gateway port is implementing an ambitious plan to become Britain’s most important container port, and saw container throughput surge by 52 per cent last year to three million TEU from 1.9 million TEU recorded in 2024.

Drug cartels are taking advantage of the growth to use the facility for drug trafficking into the UK. In March, law enforcement officers seized around one tonne of cocaine hidden in a container originating from Panama with a street value of $107 million. In June last year, officers seized 2.4 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of $133 million at the port.

Government statistics show that the UK remains a lucrative market for cocaine smugglers, with people in England consuming 123,000 kilograms of cocaine annually, equating to a $13.2 billion market value.

“Class A drugs wreck lives, they are toxic and can devastate our communities,” said Phillips, adding that the NCA is determined to continue combating the threat of cocaine with domestic partners like the Border Force as well as international partners across source and transit countries.

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reiterated its ban on the participation of the Amotekun Corps and other non-state security groups in security operations for the Osun State Governorship Election.

The Force also announced a restriction on movement across the state from midnight on Friday, August 14, 2026, to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday ahead of the poll.

The police said only security agencies recognised and established under the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are authorised to perform security and law-enforcement duties in connection with the election.

It warned that no non-state security group, vigilante organisation or other unauthorised body would be permitted to assume or exercise the functions of a recognised security agency.

“Accordingly, such groups are directed to stay away from election-related security operations and refrain from any activity capable of intimidating voters, disrupting the electoral process or undermining public peace and security,” the statement said.

The Force urged members of the public to comply fully with the movement restriction and cooperate with security personnel deployed across the state.

It added that only persons and categories of movement specifically exempted by the appropriate authorities would be allowed during the restriction period.

The police further advised political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, warning against actions capable of triggering violence or disrupting the electoral process.

The Force reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security, as well as ensuring a level playing field for all political actors and eligible voters throughout the election.

It also urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding and to promptly report suspicious or unlawful activities to constitutionally and legally recognised security agencies.