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Hajj Airlift: Over 9,000 Nigerian Pilgrims Transported To Madinah – NAHCON

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National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says no fewer than 9,000 Nigerian pilgrims have arrived in the city of Madinah for the 2026 Hajj operations.

According to information from the NAHCON officials in Saudi Arabia, the number has been transported since the commencement of the Hajj airlift operations on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 50, 000 Nigerian pilgrims were approved by the Saudi authorities for the 2026 Hajj.

The pilgrims are expected to spend four days in Medinah before onward movement to Makkah.

An update from NAHCON indicates that the inaugural flight took off on Sunday with UMZA flight UMZ3501, which transported 473 Kogi pilgrims to Medinah, comprising 296 males and 177 females.

This was followed by a Flynas flight that conveyed 418 Kebbi Pilgrims consisting of 259 males and 159 females.

There was also a MaxAir flight carrying 560 Nasarawa pilgrims, comprising 381 males and 179 females.

On Monday, an Airpeace flight departed Lagos to Madinah with 315 Oyo pilgrims.
155 males and 160 females.

A Flynas flight also departed Kebbi to Madinah on Monday, conveying 427 Kebbi pilgrims. There were 283 males and 144 females, with two officials.

There was also an UMZA flight from Dutse, Jigawa, with 480 pilgrims, consisting of 306 males and 174 females.

Then, a MaxAir flight also departed Gombe to Madinah with 411 pilgrims, which consisted of 238 males and 173 females.

NAHCON has also transported 557 pilgrims from Nasarawa, 394 from Jigawa, an additional 424 from Nasarawa, 343 from Osun, and 550 from Gombe states.

Pilgrims from Kebbi, Kwara and Plateau states have also been transported to Madinah.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of NAHCON, Amb. Ismail Yusuf had earlier assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

Yusuf urged the pilgrims to ensure that their conduct in the Holy Land is guided by humility.

Also, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, charged the pilgrims to uphold national values that positively reflect Nigeria, and act as positive ambassadors of the country.

Shettima described the pilgrims as representatives of the country on the global stage who must portray the best of the nation while complying with the strict regulations of the host nation.

“You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people.

“Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity,” he said.

The vice president described pilgrimage as a binding covenant between Nigeria and its citizens.

He said that the government would uphold its duty of care while pilgrims uphold the values of the nation.

He said that the Hajj exercise placed a direct responsibility on public institutions to guarantee the dignity, safety, and seamless movement of all pilgrims.

“Our duty is to ensure that every pilgrim undertakes this journey without avoidable hardship, needless anxiety, or preventable setback,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Entertainment

Jah Device’s Global Rise Gains Momentum as BusinessDay Sunday Spotlights Nigeria’s Reggae Ambassador

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The global reggae movement is witnessing the rise of a new African voice as Nigerian reggae sensation Jah Device continues his remarkable journey from the hills of Jos, Plateau State, to the international music stage. The fast-rising artiste recently achieved another career milestone after earning a special feature in the entertainment section of BusinessDay Sunday, one of Africa’s leading English-language newspapers.

The publication highlighted Jah Device’s artistic journey, influence, and contribution to Nigeria’s entertainment industry, further cementing his place among the country’s most promising reggae exports. The recognition not only celebrates his growing impact but also shines a spotlight on Plateau State as an emerging hub for creativity, culture, and musical excellence.

Known offstage as I Am Device, Jah Device has steadily built a reputation as an international reggae musician, songwriter, producer, and performer whose music blends conscious messaging, spirituality, social commentary, and rich African rhythms. His sound is driven by thought-provoking lyrics, melodic harmonies, and pulsating live instrumentation — elements that have distinguished him within the reggae community both locally and internationally.

Signed to Stingray Records UK, Jah Device has continued to expand his global footprint through collaborations and projects that connect Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond. His works have reached international audiences through strategic partnerships and distribution support from Bob Marley’s legendary Tuff Gong International in Jamaica — a major milestone for any reggae artiste seeking global relevance.

Among his notable releases is Love And Sacrifice, a project that brought together respected international reggae figures including Anthony Red Rose, Michael Buckley, and Natty King. The collaboration reinforced Jah Device’s position as an artiste capable of bridging cultures while maintaining an authentic African reggae identity.

Currently, the Jos-born star is working on an international project with producer Zige Dub featuring collaborations with Troy Anthony from Bermuda, House of Riddim in Austria, and I Am That I Am Records in Jamaica — an effort expected to further elevate his profile on the global reggae scene.

Beyond music, Jah Device remains deeply invested in community building and cultural development. He is the convener of the annual Rocky Road Music Festival, an initiative that provides a platform for talent discovery, artistic expression, and cultural exchange while promoting Plateau State’s creative ecosystem.

His journey also reflects a multifaceted personality. Away from the stage, Jah Device is passionate about studying the Word, sports including judo and football, fishing, beekeeping, and travelling. Over the years, he has represented Africa at several international events, including engagements in Jamaica — the spiritual home of reggae music.

Speaking during the BusinessDay Sunday feature, Jah Device emphasized the role of entertainment as a driver of economic growth and social transformation. He described music as one of the strongest hopes for Nigeria’s economy, particularly for young people seeking opportunities, empowerment, and self-expression.

As a brand ambassador for The Mayor of Housing Nigeria and an emerging cultural voice from Africa, Jah Device’s story is becoming more than a musical journey — it is evolving into a movement of purpose, identity, and international influence.

From Jos to Kingston, London to Austria, Jah Device is carrying the sound of Africa to the world stage, proving that reggae remains a universal language and that Plateau State has yet another global ambassador in the making.

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Events

Angwa Rukuba Killings: Court Grants Suspects Leave to Call Five Witnesses Each

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A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on Tuesday granted leave to four persons standing trial over the deadly Angwa Rukuba attacks to each call five defence witnesses.

The suspects are facing prosecution over the Palm Sunday 2026 attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where about 30 persons were reportedly killed by gunmen.

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Following the incident, the Department of State Services arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro.

The Plateau State Government subsequently charged the three suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.

Ruling during a case management conference, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon granted the request by the defendants to produce five witnesses each in their defence.

The judge also reiterated the court’s commitment to accelerated hearing of the case, stating that two full days would be dedicated to the testimonies of each defendant’s witnesses.

Justice Fwomyon further ruled that the prosecution had sufficiently answered the questions contained in the case management information sheet and would rely on the statements of evidence already before the court, including those of the defendants and their witnesses.

The court also ruled that the defendants would be allowed to make use of interpreters either provided by themselves or by the court.

In addition, the defendants were granted the right to challenge the admissibility of their statements and to invite expert witnesses during the trial.

However, the judge held that no party would be permitted to raise fresh interlocutory applications in the matter except those already filed and adopted before the court, noting that such applications would only be entertained under exceptional circumstances.

The matter was adjourned to July 1 and 2, 2026, for hearing of the substantive case, provided the defendants do not challenge the jurisdiction of the court.

The court further ordered that the suspects remain in the custody of the DSS pending the next adjourned date.

Recall that Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved a ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the Angwa Rukuba attacks and pledged that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.

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