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Eid El Kabir: 2 Million Muslim Pilgrims Stone The Devil In Muzdalifah, Saudi Arabia

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About two million Muslim pilgrims for this year’s Hajj on Sunday performed the symbolic stoning of the devil in Saudi Arabia.

This comes as part of the final activities of the Muslim pilgrimage and importantly, the start of the Eid el-Kabir celebrations for Muslims globally.

In Nigeria, Eid al-Kabir, or Babbar Sallah in Hausa, is recognized as a feast of sacrifice commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to the instruction of Allah, specifically his readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as Allah demanded.

It is the festival of sharing when Muslims who can afford especially ram, buy, kill and share the meat with neighbours.

Back in the holy site, the stoning of the devil on Sunday is among the final rites of the Hajj, one of the five Pillars of Islam.

Earlier on Saturday, June 15, more than 1.8 million pilgrims had congregated on a sacred hill in Mount Ararat outside Mecca, and by the evening, they left the Mount to spend their night in the site known as Muzdalifa, where they collected pebbles they had used in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil.

The pillars are in Mina, another sacred place in Mecca where Muslims believe Ibrahim’s faith was tested when God commanded him to sacrifice his only son Ismail.

As related in both the Quran and the Bible, Ibrahim (Abraham in the Bible), was prepared to submit to the command but God stopped him from sacrificing Ismail (or Isaac in the Bible), providing him instead a ram.

In Saudi Arabia, pilgrims will spend the next three days in Mina, where they walk long distances on pedestrian-only streets toward a complex of large pillars where they will cast seven pebbles each at three pillars, to symbolically cast away evil and sin.

At Mina, they will visit Mecca to perform ‘tawaf’, a circling of the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque counterclockwise seven times.

This would be as the pilgrims approach the end of their pilgrimage and prepare to leave the holy city.

After the Hajj, men typically shave their heads and remove the white garments they wear during the pilgrimage.

Willing pilgrims then leave Mecca for Medina to pray in Prophet Muhammad’s tomb, which forms part of the prophet’s mosque, one of the three holiest sites in Islam.

Over 1.83 million Muslims are performing the 2024 Hajj, according to Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister, Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah.

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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim

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A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.

 

One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.

 

Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.

 

In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”

 

He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.

 

“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.

 

He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.

 

The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.

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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.

 

Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.

 

The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.

 

Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.

 

Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.

 

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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.

 

The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.

 

According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

 

The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.

 

“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.

 

The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.

 

Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.

 

The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.

 

“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.

 

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”

 

It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.

 

JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.

 

 

 

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