Sports
Hajj Airlift: CSO calls for coordinated security surveillance at Hajj Camps, Embarkation points
Joel Ajayi
As the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday this week, Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, a faith-based Civil Society Organization, CSO, that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
IHR said Inna statement Monday signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days. Such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.
While we appreciate the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, we call on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.
State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
“As journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.”
IHR further appeals to Security forces to take necessary measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”. The statement said.
Sports
Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders Sue FCT Minister Over Withheld Information on Abandoned Sports Centre
The Gwagwalada Football Stakeholders, through their solicitors, have approached the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the refusal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to grant them access to information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
The legal action followed a formal request made to the Honourable Minister of the FCT in a letter dated 28 November 2025, seeking information on the present status of the Gwagwalada Sports Centre project, which has reportedly been abandoned for over 10 years.
According to the stakeholders, the request was made pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 4 and 7 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. They stated that despite complying with the provisions of the Act, no response or information was provided by the FCT administration.
In the letter submitted through their solicitors, Babatunde Akintade Legal Consult, the stakeholders requested access to information relating to the status and contract details of the sports facility, also known as the Gwagwalada Mini-Stadium. They noted that the project falls under the jurisdiction of the Gwagwalada Area Council and has been “abandoned” or “stalled,” reflecting a wider trend of uncompleted grassroots sports infrastructure across the FCT.
The stakeholders emphasized the importance of the facility, citing its significant potential for youth development and community engagement in Gwagwalada. They are therefore seeking clarification and official documentation on the current state of the project, including details of contracts awarded and actions taken so far.
Speaking on the matter, the council’s solicitor, Barrister Babatunde Akintade, said the request was aimed at ascertaining the true status of the project, stressing that its prolonged abandonment has negatively affected football development in Gwagwalada and the FCT at large.
The Gwagwalada Sports Centre is reportedly one of six sports facilities initiated in 2015 that are yet to be completed nearly ten years later. The delay, according to the stakeholders, has forced youths in the area to rely on other sporting facilities that are either inadequate or not readily accessible.
The matter is now before the Federal High Court as the stakeholders seek enforcement of their right to information under the FOI Act and renewed attention to grassroots sports development in the FCT.
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