News
Hajj 2025: NAHCON secures Mashair for 52,000 Pilgrims

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
NAHCON said it has successfully paid for 26,287 pilgrims’ spaces with an additional 26,000 spaces reserved to be fully secured by 13 February.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has secured pilgrim space in the Masha’air camps in Saudi Arabia for the 52,000 Nigerians projected to participate in the 2025 Hajj.
NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Usara, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Masha’ir are the three sacred camps where pilgrims observe crucial Hajj rites. They are Muna, Arafat and Muzdalifah and hold significant importance in the Hajj pilgrimage.
Mr Usman, a professor, led the NAHCON delegation to Saudi Arabia for the finalisation of payment and contract signing in order meet the 14 February deadline.
According to Mrs Usara, the commission has made significant progress in securing accommodations for Nigerian pilgrims.
“As of Wednesday, NAHCON has successfully paid for 26,287 pilgrims’ spaces in Mashair, with an additional 26,000 spaces reserved to be fully secured by 13 February.
“The 26,287 fully secured spaces cover the pilgrims’ deposits so far received. 52,000 intending pilgrims are projected to participate in the 2025 Hajj.
“This proactive move to reserve space in Mashair, led by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, ensures compliance with the 14th February deadline laid by Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) for finalising contract agreements by Hajj participating countries before the closure of the Nusuk Masar contracts’ portal,” the statement said.
Read full statement
NAHCON Secures Mashair Space for 52,000 Intending Pilgrims Ahead of Deadline
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has successfully paid for 26,287 pilgrims’ spaces in Mashair and reserved another 26,000 to be fully secured by the end of business tomorrow 13th February 2025 pending awaited remittances. The 26,287 fully secured spaces cover the pilgrims’ deposits so far received. 52,000 intending pilgrims are projected to participate in the 2025 Hajj.
This proactive move to reserve space in Mashair, led by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, ensures compliance with the 14th February deadline laid by Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) for finalizing contract agreements by Hajj participating countries before the closure of the Nusuk Masar contracts’ portal.
As part of this effort, Professor Usman had signed an agreement on Friday, 17th January 2025, at NAHCON’s Ummul Judd office in Makkah. The signing followed wide consultations with key stakeholders, particularly the Forum of State Chairmen, board members and representative of the presidency who were part of the delegation. It would be recalled that Professor Usman acknowledged the collaborative role of Malam Idris Almakura, Alhaji Faruku Yaro Aliyu, Malam Abubakar Salihu from the States Forum and Malam Ameen Amshi, representative of the Presidency in the screening and selection process.
Hence, after the successful engagement of the service provider early in the year, and to prevent any last-minute setbacks, the NAHCON Chairman Professor Usman sought and received approval from Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima to travel to Makkah and finalize this critical contract—an essential requirement for uploading visas scheduled to commence on the 19th of February.
Professor Usman expressed profound appreciation to the Vice President for his support, confidence, and non-interference in the Commission’s operations, which have enabled swift and decisive action in preparing the grounds for a smooth Hajj process for 2025 Nigerian pilgrims. According to the NAHCON Chairman, the Vice President’s quick response to request to travel to Saudi Arabia to resolve any bottlenecks has paid off well with the reservation now put to rest.
Professor Usman urged intending pilgrims to follow NAHCON news outlets for updates and to remain calm as all efforts have been put in place to ensure that they experience a convenient and hitch-free Hajj this year.
News
15 huts razed, one injured in renewed Jukun-Tiv violence

A fresh outbreak of ethnic violence between the Jukun and Tiv communities has erupted in Taraba State, with suspected Jukun militias launching an early-morning attack on Dekeh Village along the Wukari–Kente Road.
According to security sources available to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
About six armed assailants stormed the village, opening fire indiscriminately and setting 15 huts ablaze. The attack forced residents to flee in panic, leaving behind food items, including yam seedlings, which were destroyed in the blaze.
One resident identified as Mdue Saaondo, sustained gunshot injuries during the assault. He was rescued by a joint team of police and military personnel and transported to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Wukari for medical treatment.
The Taraba State Police Command has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have also scheduled a security meeting with the Wukari Local Government Traditional Council as part of efforts to restore peace and encourage dialogue between the Tiv and Jukun communities, who have long-standing disputes over land and territorial claims.
“Patrol and surveillance operations are ongoing to forestall further violence and ensure stability in the area,” police authorities stated.
The incident adds to the growing list of violent clashes that have plagued southern Taraba in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the communal tensions.
News
2025 U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles zoom into quarter-final after draw with Kenya

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked a place in the quarter-final at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after playing out a 2-2 draw against Kenya.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side finished second in Group B with five points from three games.
The Atlas Cub of Morocco top the group with seven points after beating Tunisia 3-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Kenya started the game strongly, and deservedly took the lead after six minutes.
Nigeria defender Emmanuel Chukwu handled the ball inside the box, and after initially awarding a free kick to Kenya, the centre referee pointed to the spot following consultation with VAR.
Captain Kevin Wangaya Colly slotted the ball past Ebenezer Harcourt to give the Rising Stars the lead.
The Flying Eagles fought back seven minutes later with Lillestrøm striker Kparobo Arierhi netting after he was put on through on goal by Simon Cletus.
Nigeria dominated the game in the second half but failed to test the Kenyan goalkeeper.
Kenya took the lead for the second time in the game through substitute William Nwangi on 68 minutes.
Nwangi lashed home Humphrey Kegengo’s free kick from inside the box.
Daniel Bameyi, however, converted from the spot to hand the Flying Eagles a share of the spoils.
News
Trump announces judicial nominees, accuses US court of obstruction

United States President Donald Trump has announced a fresh slate of judicial nominees in a series of posts on Truth Social on Tuesday.
The president, who has repeatedly expressed frustration over what he sees as judicial obstruction, followed up on Wednesday with a post criticising the judiciary for allegedly preventing him from carrying out the mandate of the American people.
The Republican leader, whose second-term agenda has encountered multiple judicial roadblocks, wrote: “Our Court System is not letting me do the job I was Elected to do.
“Activist judges must let the [Donald] Trump Administration deport murderers, and other criminals who have come into our Country illegally, WITHOUT DELAY!!!”
Trump named Maria Lanahan, Missouri’s Principal Deputy Solicitor General, as a nominee for a judgeship on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He praised her as “a true patriot” in a post on Tuesday.
The 78-year-old also nominated Judge Cristian Stevens to serve on the same court, describing him in another post as “a Great Patriot.”
The announcements came a day after a federal appeals court declined the Trump administration’s request to revoke temporary legal status from hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Cubans living in the United States.
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