Hajj Gazette hails Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf’s appointment as NAHCON Chairman

The Management of Hajj Gazette News and Current Affairs Magazine extends its warm congratulations to Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf on his appointment as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday announced the appointment of Amb. Yusuf, underscoring the administration’s commitment to strengthening institutional leadership within the Hajj management framework.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President has formally transmitted the nomination to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for expeditious confirmation in accordance with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2026.

Amb. Yusuf’s nomination comes at a critical juncture for the Commission, as preparations for the forthcoming Hajj operations demand strategic coordination, transparency, and administrative efficiency.

His diplomatic background and public service experience position him to provide the leadership required to consolidate reforms and enhance service delivery to Nigerian pilgrims.

Hajj Gazette expresses confidence that, upon confirmation, Amb. Yusuf would deploy his expertise to strengthen stakeholder collaboration, uphold regulatory standards, and drive operational excellence within NAHCON.

Hajj Gazette hails Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf’s appointment as NAHCON Chairman

Six cows poisoned as attacks on pastoral livelihoods escalate in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A series of coordinated attacks targeting cattle and Fulani settlements across Plateau State has intensified fears of a widening reprisal cycle, with the latest incident involving the poisoning of six cows in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA).

On Feb. 11 at about 8:30 a.m., six cows belonging to Alhaji Bello Haruna and Iliya Yusuf, both of Rwam Village in Mushere District, Bokkos LGA, were reportedly poisoned at Tulus and Rwam villages. Two of the cows died instantly, while four others were slaughtered after showing signs consistent with poisoning.

In the same development, Militia suspected to be from the Birom ethnic group attacked a Fulani settlement in Tulus Village, Horop, setting ablaze two houses belonging to Kadiri Adamu and Hashimu Adamu. Community sources said the coordinated targeting of livestock and residences indicated deliberate mischief designed to provoke tension and displacement.

The Bokkos incident followed an earlier case in Riyom LGA. The Fulani community in Riyom reported that a cow belonging to Anas Likita, a resident of Luggere in Jol Ward, was attacked and seriously injured by individuals suspected to be youths from Jol community.

Abdullahi Yusuf, the Leader of the Fulani community in Riyom, while calling for calm, condemned the act and commended the swift response of Operation Rainbow personnel stationed in Jol, who assisted in evacuating the injured cow to its owner. They also praised Operation Enduring Peace, Sector 6, for timely intervention and professional handling of the situation, urging residents to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate.

“Such incidents only increase tension and undermine ongoing efforts toward peace and stability in Riyom LGA,” the community said in a statement signed by Abdullahi Yusuf on Feb. 9.

Zagazola report that the latest incidents align with a disturbing pattern of systematic attacks on pastoral assets across Plateau State.

On Feb. 2, one cow was shot dead at Weren Camp, Riyom LGA, while three others were poisoned in Kwi Village. Reports said toxic substances were concealed inside oranges and deliberately placed along grazing fields. The attack occurred in the afternoon, and the assailants escaped immediately after the shooting.

Also on Feb. 2 in Kwi Village, three cows were poisoned using what veterinary sources described as a sophisticated method: toxic substances hidden inside oranges placed along known grazing paths. The cattle ingested the poisoned fruits and collapsed. The method was assessed as deliberate, malicious and targeted.

The sophistication of hiding poison in oranges suggests premeditation and an intent to kill livestock without direct confrontation,” a local veterinary officer said. The attackers fled immediately after the shooting at Weren Camp, leaving the community in fear and uncertainty.

The pattern of attacks intensified in December 2025. On Dec. 12, armed elements attacked Nding Community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA, and rustled approximately 137 cattle belonging to three herders. The attackers were heavily armed, operated in groups and drove the cattle into forested terrain.

Barely 24 hours later, on Dec. 13, at Kukukah Community in Jos East LGA, 34 cows were rustled by armed assailants. That same day, in Kwi Village, Riyom LGA, nine cows reportedly died after ingesting poisoned substances, following earlier rustling incidents. Community leaders said the sequence of events suggested emerging reprisal dynamics.

On Dec. 16, armed Fulani bandits attacked an illegal mining site at Tosho Community, Fan District, Barkin Ladi LGA, allegedly to recover previously rustled cattle. The attack resulted in 12 fatalities, three abductions and several injuries, and triggered further retaliatory violence across the zone.

Between Dec. 18 and 19, retaliatory attacks were reported in Dorong Village, Foron District, Barkin Ladi LGA, where four children were killed, and in Gero Village, Jos South LGA, where additional livestock were killed in reprisal actions.

On Dec. 27, five Fulani youths returning from Kara Cattle Market were ambushed along Bukuru Express Road near Angle D in Jos South LGA. The victims sustained critical gunshot wounds and were evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for emergency treatment.

The attacks are increasingly targeted, symbolic and livelihood-destructive. The objective appears to be forced displacement of pastoralists in Plateau state and demographic pressure in affected LGAs.

Zagazola report that the cumulative intelligence points to a structured escalation cycle, livestock poisoning leads to cattle rustling, which in turn triggers retaliatory raids and civilian casualties.

While armed militias and bandit elements are exploiting grievances. Weak deterrence is allowing non-state actors especially those inaugurated by the Plateau state government to function as de facto security forces in some rural areas, thereby committing heinous atrocities under the guise of protecting communities.

Zagazola warned that failure to decisively interrupt the cycle risks normalising reprisal attacks, expanding militia influence and eroding state authority.

Six cows poisoned as attacks on pastoral livelihoods escalate in Plateau

Targeting Kwankwaso over Twitter exchange with U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore is witch-hunt

By: Zagazola Makama.

The inclusion of former Kano State Governor and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in a proposed U.S. bill on religious freedom is nothing but a witch-hunt and grave injustice, as it is not based on any evidence but on a public disagreement with US Reps Riley Moore on X otherwise known as Twitter.

The proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, sponsored by U.S. Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith, seeks to sanction Fulani militias and Kwankwaso over alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria.

However, critics argue that Kwankwaso’s inclusion followed his Twitter (X) exchange with Rep. Moore, rather than any proven role in religious violations.

Naming Kwankwaso among those accused of supporting Christian persecution without a shred of evidence simply because he challenged Rep. Moore’s narrative online is witch-hunting and injustice.

The disagreement followed President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom.

In response, Kwankwaso issued a statement expressing concern over what he described as “heightened pronouncements” on Nigeria by the U.S. President, warning that such rhetoric could deepen divisions rather than address the country’s real security challenges.

“I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’,” Kwankwaso said.

He stressed that Nigeria was a sovereign nation facing threats from outlaw groups that did not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity or politics.

“These threats come from terrorist and criminal networks whose victims are both Muslims and Christians. What Nigeria needs is support in technology, intelligence and operational capacity, not threats that polarise our people,” he said.

Kwankwaso also urged unity among Nigerians and called on the Federal Government to strengthen diplomatic engagement with the United States through special envoys and permanent ambassadors.

“To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria,” he added.

In a swift reaction on X (formerly Twitter), Rep. Moore accused Kwankwaso of hypocrisy and linked him to alleged religious persecution in Northern Nigeria.

“Governor, do you care to comment on your own complicity in the death of Christians? You instituted Sharia law. You signed the law that makes so-called blasphemy punishable by death,” Moore wrote.

The U.S. lawmaker’s post appeared to connect Kwankwaso’s role in implementing Sharia law in Kano State during his tenure as governor to ongoing concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria.

The U.S. lawmaker’s reaction shifted from policy debate to personal targeting. This is not accountability. It is retaliation for speaking back.

Linking Sharia law directly to what is happening today with Bandits, Boko Haram and ISWAP is misleading. Sharia law is part of Nigeria’s constitutional federal structure. It is not genocide. Terrorism is. The real killers of Christians, Muslims and other faithfuls alike are Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, JNIM and Lakurawa, not Kwankwaso.”

Based on records, Kano State, under Kwankwaso’s leadership, confronted Boko Haram cells and prevented the group from establishing a foothold in the state during the peak of the insurgency.

Kano was the only state in the North-West that averted bloodshed by decisively confronting the Boko Haram cells and brought their activities to a standstill. At a time when Boko Haram was expanding across northern Nigeria, Kano shut down their recruitment networks, dismantled logistics cells and prevented the sect from gaining territorial control. That record alone contradicts any claim that Kwankwaso enabled religious extremism.

Security Analyst, Bulama Bukarti, wrote “Truth be told, Kwankwaso is among the most moderate and pro-Nigeria politicians the country has ever produced. Naming him in the U.S. House bill as the sole individual to be sanctioned is not only unfair but plainly erroneous. His name should be withdrawn from the bill without delay.

“More broadly, this episode exposes the poor quality of the information underpinning the so-called “Christian genocide” narrative. Its proponents just generate and circulate unsubstantiated claims and then rely on those same claims as evidence,”he said.

As off now, no evidence has ever been presented linking Kwankwaso to acts of Christian persecution. Kano under Kwankwaso did not witness any attacks on Christians.

Therefore, using foreign legislation to punish political figures for online disagreements sets a dangerous precedent. If foreign lawmakers can label Nigerian politicians as persecutors simply because of Twitter arguments, then this is no longer about human rights, it is about political intimidation. Such actions undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and fuel sectarian tension. Justice requires evidence. Not tweets. Not grudges. Not activism.

Targeting Kwankwaso over Twitter exchange with U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore is witch-hunt