• new medical rules to screen out sick, pregnant pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has reduced Nigeria’s Hajj allocation for 2026 to 66,910 slots, citing the country’s underuse of its 95,000 slots in 2025.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the cut on Thursday, noting that the new figure had already been uploaded on the NUSUK Masar portal by Saudi authorities.

Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s deputy director of information, said the adjustment was announced by Anofiu Elegushi, the commission’s operations chief, during a meeting with state pilgrims’ welfare officials.

She explained that the 2026 allocation would be split between 51,513 slots for state pilgrims and officials, and 15,397 for licensed tour operators.

“Saudi Arabia reduced the quota due to Nigeria’s underutilisation of its 2025 slots,” she said, adding that each state’s allocation next year will depend on how efficiently it used its slots this year.

Stricter Health Rules for 2026 Pilgrims

NAHCON officials also disclosed that Saudi Arabia has introduced tougher health regulations for intending pilgrims.

Individuals with conditions such as organ failure, psychiatric or neurological disorders, dementia, pregnancy, tuberculosis, or active cancer under chemotherapy will be barred from entering the Kingdom.

Saidu Dumbulwa, the NAHCON board member representing the health ministry, said the new screening process aims to curb disease transmission and reduce pressure on Saudi hospitals.

> “Medical checks will now be done only at designated hospitals, and only approved officials of integrity will sign medical certificates, which must also be countersigned by the state’s chief medical director,” he said.

He added that visa approvals will now be tied directly to verified medical reports.

CBN to Handle States’ Funds, Lower Transaction Fees

On finances, NAHCON said it has secured approval to remit state funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take advantage of better exchange rates.

Adetona Adedeji, CBN’s representative on the NAHCON board, noted that the apex bank may also review the two percent transaction fee on pilgrims’ payments.

NAHCON chairman Abdullahi Usman urged state boards to submit accurate registration data ahead of the December 21 remittance deadline, warning that non-compliance could disrupt planning.

He also announced that starting 2026, pilgrims will adopt the international luggage standard — two checked bags of 23kg each and one backpack as hand luggage.

The commission says it will embark on a nationwide sensitisation campaign to ensure all deadlines and new regulations are fully understood.

The long arm of Nigeria’s cyber law just caught a fresh batch — 59 foreign nationals, mostly from China and Malaysia, have been convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja for running what police described as an international cybercrime ring.

The convicts were part of a 130-member syndicate busted in November 2024 during a dramatic police raid on a building in the Jahi area of Abuja. Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) said the raid followed weeks of surveillance and “actionable intelligence.”

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects — 113 foreigners and 17 Nigerians — had their digital fingerprints all over large-scale internet scams, hacking operations, and other tech-enabled frauds that threatened the country’s cybersecurity.

“Fifty-nine of them have now been convicted, adding to the 26 sentenced earlier this year. That brings the total convictions in the case to 85,” Hundeyin said in a statement on Thursday.

He described the convictions as “a major milestone” in Nigeria’s war against cybercrime — one that sends a clear message that “Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for digital fraudsters, foreign or local.”

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, hailed the development, noting that the force is leveraging advanced forensic technology and international partnerships to hunt down and prosecute cybercriminal networks.

The 59 convicts were linked to a sophisticated scam hub where computers, fake company records, and cloned bank databases were reportedly recovered. Digital forensic analysis reportedly tied several of them to ongoing cross-border financial crimes.

In August, another 51 foreign nationals — mostly Chinese — were deported after similar convictions for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. Thursday’s sentencing brings the total number of deported convicts in 2025 to 102.

The latest crackdown underscores the government’s stepped-up efforts to clean up Nigeria’s digital space, even as online scams continue to evolve faster than most firewalls can blink.

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Lawal Faruq for allegedly setting his ex-girlfriend on fire at a military barracks in Ibadan, the state capital.

It was gathered that the incident occurred earlier this week after the relationship between Faruq and the victim, Omolola Hassan, turned sour.

According to reports shared by counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama on X, the suspect claimed he and the victim had taken a traditional oath never to part ways. However, after the relationship ended, he allegedly became enraged, doused her with petrol, and set her ablaze.

Witnesses said military personnel at the barracks quickly intervened, putting out the flames and rushing the victim to Yawiri Hospital, Akobo, for treatment. The suspect was apprehended and handed over to the police.

Makama wrote, “The victim, Omolola Hassan, was reportedly doused with petrol and set on fire by the suspect, who was said to have been angered over the breakdown of their relationship. Military personnel at the barracks quickly intervened and extinguished the fire before rushing the victim to hospital. The suspect, who claimed they had taken an oath never to separate, is currently in custody.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing.

“Investigation is ongoing,” Osifeso said in a brief message.

Credit: The Punch