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The Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has set July 10 as the date to place a curse on kidnappers, armed robbers, and anyone posing a security threat in his domain and in Edo State in general.

Oba Ewuare II set the date for his meeting with native doctors, the water goddess priestess Osokpikan, and adherents of Aiyelala and Olokun.

He told them to bring all instruments in their possession on that date to perform the exercise.

According to him, “Today is a great day. I welcome you with the power of our ancestors. Many things that are not supposed to be happening are happening in this state. We have to pray. Those that want to destroy the kingdom will not succeed.”

Speaking through Chief Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, the Akenuwa of Benin, Oba Ewuare II said his efforts were to support the state government to ensure peace reigns in the state.

“You all know what is happening. The Oba is trying to bring peace. All the bad things are what we want to wipe away. Use all that you have to send all the wicked ones away, so that we can have a good sleep.

“We don’t want kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices in this state. We want peace. The Palace has done much behind closed doors. Use all that you have to chase away wicked ones.

“After 10 days, you all will return to the Palace with all you have to place a curse on whoever and wherever they are. We want to see change.”

On his part, Chief Egboye said, “Our Oba called us to remove all the wahala in this state. The prayers and actions will work. That is what our forefathers did. It has never failed.”

The Ohen N’ Ogbeguma N’ Ayen, Princess Juliet Ehigiamusoe, said they would come out with all things in the river and on the land to carry out the Oba’s order.

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said it has concluded the return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj exercise.

The commission said that the completion of the return leg brought the 2026 Hajj operations to a close.

NAHCON Chairman, Amb. Ismail Yusuf expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the overall success of the 2026 Hajj exercise.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their support in the operation’s success.

According to NAHCON, 12 Nigerian pilgrims were still receiving treatment in various hospitals in Saudi Arabia for various health conditions.

The commission said, “NAHCON is closely monitoring their situations and has made arrangements to facilitate their safe return to Nigeria as soon as they are discharged from the hospitals.

“NAHCON also appreciates the cooperation and hard work of state pilgrims’ welfare boards, licensed tour operators, service providers, aviation partners, medical teams, security personnel, the media and, most importantly, Nigerian pilgrims.

“The commission acknowledges that, as with every major operation of this scale, there were challenges encountered in the course of the exercise.”

The commission added that valuable lessons had been learnt from the exercise, which would be applied to improve subsequent Hajj operations.

It said that, in line with the commission’s commitment to continuous improvement and early planning, it had formally commenced preparations for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

“This was conveyed to all Hajj managers in Nigeria through a circular dated June 15. Consequently, state pilgrims’ welfare boards/agencies/commissions and licensed private tour operators are directed to commence preparatory activities immediately.

“This should be done in strict compliance with the official preparation document for the 2027 Hajj season as received from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,” the commission said.

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President Bola Tinubu has said that his administration was building road infrastructure to lay the needed physical foundation for a knowledge-driven economy, stressing that education, justice, and innovation need roads to thrive.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, while flagging off the construction of Collector Road CO1 in the Institutional Research District, from Nile University to Ring Road III.

Represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, the President said that the project included dualisation of the road from Baze University roundabout to Nile University, that is the Base University.

He noted that three years into his administration, the results were speaking out.

“From the Southern Parkway to the Institution and Research District, we are laying the physical foundation for a knowledge-driven economy.

“Today, we provide those roads that are needed to provide justice, education, and innovation to our people.

“To the university community, this road is more than a route. It is a connection between learning, law, and the future of our capital,” he said.

He pointed out that the Institution and Research District was designed to be the intellectual heart of Abuja, adding that universities, law chambers, research centers, and innovation hubs were growing in the area.

He, however, stressed that ideas could not move if roads do not move and connect the heart and people together.

Tinubu further said: “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we made a choice to finish what was started and to start what we must finish.

“The first phase of this corridor connecting the Body of Benchers, Nile, and Base University is done and ready for commissioning. Today, we begin the next phase to Ring Road III to complete the loop.

“That is how we build a city—with a plan. Not a city of abandoned pieces. Infrastructure must be continuous, and it must also be useful to the people within the environment”.

He commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for turning FCT into a delivery agency, stressing that the transformation of Abuja under the minister’s watch is bold, visible and worthy of commendation.

He said, “Wike, your energy is unmatched. You took over a capital with many stalled projects and turned the FCTA into a delivery agency. ‘Mr. Projects’ is not a slogan, it is a record. You have revived sleeping roads, built new interchanges, and brought development to satellite towns. You have domesticated the Renewed Hope Agenda; street by street, district by district. The transformation of Abuja under your watch is bold, visible, and worthy of commendation. Well done, Minister Wike.”

In his remarks, Wike explained that the project was considered following a plea by the Body of Benchers to provide access roads to ease the movement of people in and out of the area.

He assured FCT residents that the Tinubu administration would fulfill all the promises made to the people of FCT, adding that the project would be completed by January 2027.

The minister said that he would continue to deliver life-impacting projects to FCT residents as directed by Tinubu, stressing that the delivery would not be affected by 2027 political activities.

Earlier, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Richard Dauda, said that the Institutional Research District of the FCT is located in Phase III of the city.

Dauda said that the area was planned to accommodate educational institutions like universities, research institutions, and other government institutions as provided in the Abuja master plan.

He added that the district was being developed in stages, with this project being a major intervention in the opening of this district.

He explained that the scope of the current stage involved the construction of Collector Road CO1, from the Nile University to Ring Road III with a total length of about six kilometres.

He added that the project also included the dualisation of the section from the Base University Junction to Nile University.