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Gumi Reacts As Saudi Bars Him From Hajj

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Saudi Arabian authorities have barred Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, from performing the 2025 Hajj exercise.

In a post on his Facebook page on Monday, the cleric confirmed that he had returned to the country, adding that the Saudi authorities were “uncomfortable” with his presence in the Holy Land, despite having issued him a visa.

He further disclosed that the Nigerian authorities had pledged to immediately take up the issues with the Saudi authorities, while calling for prayers for the safe return of other pilgrims and the peace and prosperity of Nigeria.

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His post read: “Alhamdullilahi I’ve already completed my Hajj 2025 and I’m at home in our beloved country Nigeria. Allah said in Q2/196: ‘And accomplish the Hajj i.e. pilgrimage and the Umra for Allah, but if you are prevented, (slaughter) the offering available with you (meaning, you are then free from Hajj or Umra).’

“For some obvious reasons, my views about world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in the Hajj after giving me the Hajj visa. Thanks to the Nigerian authorities, who have pledged to take up the matter immediately with the Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.

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“I’m now free to attend to my health and farming activities. We should continue to pray for the safe return of all pilgrims, peace and prosperity for our dear nation.”

Gumi is known for his vocal and controversial defence of bandits, wreaking havoc in the North-East.

READ ALSO: FG Places N5m Bounty On Fleeing Inmates Of Ilesa Prison

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He wants the government to stop killing the bandits but to rather pardon and resettle them.

His calls have often been criticised and opposed.

Efforts by The PUNCH to get further details from him on his Saudi Arabia experience proved abortive as his phone was switched.

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Similarly, the Assistant Director for Information and Publication at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Fatima Sanda Usara, could also not be reached as her phone was also switched off.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Armed Forces To Recruit More Personnel

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Amid rising attacks and abductions by gunmen and suspected terrorists, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency.

This was contained in a statement personally signed by the President.

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Tinubu also ordered additional recruitment into the Nigerian Armed Forces and the police force.

More to follow…

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Trump Using FBI To ‘Intimidate’ Congress, US Lawmakers Cry Out

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US Democratic lawmakers accused Donald Trump on Tuesday of using the FBI to “intimidate” members of Congress and said the law enforcement agency had requested interviews with them following their criticism of the president.

The legislators were among six who this month called on military and intelligence personnel to refuse any “illegal orders” by Trump, who labeled them “traitors.”

President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress,” said a statement released by Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan, who are all Democratic members of the House of Representatives.

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“Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews,” they said. “No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.”

READ ALSO:Trump’s Military Threat To Nigeria Reckless – US Congresswoman

The FBI in an email declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The US military said on Monday it was weighing a court-martial against Democratic senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly, who had also appeared in the video released this month which urged troops to refuse unlawful orders.

Kelly, a decorated Navy combat pilot and former astronaut who commanded the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final flight, fired back that he would not be intimidated or “silenced by bullies.”

Elissa Slotkin, another senator who appeared in the video, said in a post on X on Tuesday that the FBI “appeared to open an inquiry into me in response to a video President Trump did not like.”

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“The President directing the FBI to target us is exactly why we made this video in the first place,” she said.

The six Democrats who released the video did not specify which orders they meant, but Trump has ordered the National Guard into multiple US cities — often against local objections — to curb what he calls rampant unrest.

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Overseas, Trump has ordered strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that killed more than 80 people and which experts say are illegal.

Trump initially accused the group of “seditious behavior, punishable by death.”

Over the weekend, he wrote in an all-caps social media rant that the “traitors” who told troops to disobey him “should be in jail.”

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Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Miss Universe Co-owner

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A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul and co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant over alleged fraud worth $930,000, a court official told AFP on Wednesday.

This year’s Miss Universe contest concluded last week following a streak of scandals, including a tantrum by the host and allegations of sexism.

But after Miss Mexico was crowned winner, fresh outrage has targeted Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, whose JKN Global Group co-owns the contest.

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The South Bangkok Civil Court issued a warrant for Jakapong on Tuesday after a plastic surgeon accused her of fraud and concealing information when persuading him to invest in JKN in 2023.

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The defendant invited [the plaintiff] to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time,” said a court statement shared with AFP on Wednesday.

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A verdict in the 30 million baht ($930,000) case was scheduled for Tuesday, but Jakapong failed to appear in court, and the warrant was issued because her behaviour “could be interpreted as fleeing,” it added.

The court has rescheduled the verdict for December 26, but some local media have reported that Jakapong had left for Mexico amid rumours of mounting financial woes.

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The Miss Universe Organisation said in a statement earlier this year that “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.

Miss Universe 2025 wrapped up in Bangkok on Friday, after drama stirred by a public bust-up between a male competition host and the eventual winner, Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch.

In a livestreamed event, the host singled her out for failing to post promotional content and allegedly called her “dumb,” prompting Bosch to lead a walkout.

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He apologised after a tearful news conference, though his behaviour drew the attention of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised her compatriot for speaking out.

AFP

 

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