Bandits kill one, abduct 14 in Zamfara communities

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed one person, injured three others, and abducted at least 14 villagers in separate attacks on Jangebe and Keta communities of Talata Mafara and Tsafe Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

Zagazola learnt that the first attack occurred at about 4 a.m. on Sunday, when a group of heavily armed bandits invaded Fakon Idi area in Jangebe District of Talata Mafara LGA.

“The bandits shot dead one person and injured three others before abducting four individuals to an unknown destination,” the sources stated.

“Upon receipt of the distress call, troops of Operation Fansa Yamma, police and local vigilantes mobilised to the scene and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the nearby forest,” said the sources.

Sources said the corpse of the deceased had been handed over to relatives for burial, while the injured victims were receiving treatment at the Jangebe Primary Health Care Centre.

In a separate development, about ten villagers from Keta town were abducted while being forced to work on a bandits’ farm located between Keta and Kwaren Ganuwa villages in Tsafe LGA.

Sources revealed that at about 12:05 p.m. on Sunday, another notorious bandits’ kingpin, identified as Babangida Bature Yola, stormed the farm with his gang and abducted the villagers to an undisclosed location.

Authorities said efforts were ongoing to rescue all abducted victims and restore normalcy to the affected areas.

Bandits kill one, abduct 14 in Zamfara communities

President Tinubu Orders Reduction Of 2026 Hajj Fare

*As VP Shettima gives NAHCON 2 days to effect president’s directive

By: Our Reporter

Following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an immediate review of the 2026 Hajj fares, Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to come up with new fares for the exercise within two days.

This, the Vice President said, had become necessary considering continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar – a primary determinant for the pilgrimage fares.

VP Shettima who handed down the President’s directive on Monday during a meeting with management and board members of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa, called for synergy among national and state officials, including state Governors, in streamlining and adopting a new set of fares for the exercise.

He aslo urged prompt action by all stakeholders to ensure quick payments and timely remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate a hitch-free exercise.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting with the VP, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the meeting convened at the instance of the Vice President was to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations, particularly the determination of fares for the 2026 exercise.

He explained that the goal is to reduce the amount payable by pilgrims for the exercise, given the current trend in the economy occasioned by ongoing reforms being undertaken by the Tinubu administration.

He said, “Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government. The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid ₦8.5 million to ₦8.6 million based on negative exchange rate last year, and the exchange rate has improved, then the changes should reflect in the current fares, and the benefits should also be passed to the prospective pilgrims.

“So, the commissions and all officers of the Hajj commission are here and they have been told to immediately go to look at more realistic exchange rates. If we achieve what we envisage, then we will have a very significant reduction in the Hajj.”

On his part, Secretary of the National Hajj commission (NAHCON), Dr Mustapha Mohammad, said the President’s directive would increase the number of intending pilgrims for this year’s exercise.

“It is a welcome development and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. So, as directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to see that we reduce it to the barest minimum and affordable rate for every Muslim faithful to have the opportunity to perform this very important pillar of Islam.”

Also, the Chairman, Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman, Forum of the Chief Executive of 36 and the FCT Chairmen of pilgrims Board, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, expressed delight with the presidential directive.

“We are very happy because the President and the Vice President have already intervened. We thank God for what they have said, which is expected to bring down the cost of Hajj fare. So, we are happy,” he said

President Tinubu Orders Reduction Of 2026 Hajj Fare

Troops, repel Boko Haram attack, launch operation to rescue kidnapped victims in Konduga

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists who invaded Malari Village in Konduga Local Government Area, abducting three residents.

Zagazola gathered that the attack occurred on Sunday at about 1:30 p.m.

According to sources , the terrorists, who arrived on motorcycles, emerged from the bush and began shooting sporadically before abducting three persons identified as Hassan Maitulare, aged Mallam Modu Kawori, and another individual whose identity has yet to be confirmed.

The sources said the troops supported by the Police Crack Squad stationed in Konduga, CJTF, and local hunters, swiftly responded to the distress call and successfully repelled the attack.

The sources added that a coordinated search and rescue operation was ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the fleeing terrorists.

Troops, repel Boko Haram attack, launch operation to rescue kidnapped victims in Konduga