Nigeria News (Standard)
Sultan of Sokoto Directs Nationwide Moon Sighting to Mark Start of Islamic New Year
Religious leader tasks Muslims across Nigeria to report crescent moon sightings; official confirmation to follow committee verification
Religious leader tasks Muslims across Nigeria to report crescent moon sightings; official confirmation to follow committee verification
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has instructed Muslims throughout Nigeria to observe the evening sky on Monday, 15th June 2026, for the new crescent moon that will signal the start of Hijrah 1447, marking the Islamic New Year. The directive was issued in Sokoto State, where the Sultan emphasised that this transition into Muharram—the first month in the Islamic calendar—depends strictly on verified lunar observation.
The Sultan’s announcement means that Muslim faithful across all states are expected to be vigilant from Monday evening and promptly report any credible sighting of the crescent moon to designated religious authorities. According to Islamic tradition observed in Nigeria, only after committees confirm a genuine sighting will the Sultan issue an official declaration commencing Muharram and the new year.
This process carries major religious significance for Nigerian Muslims, as the Hijrah calendar guides key observances including fasting periods and other major Islamic rituals. The start date is never fixed but is determined by astronomical observation, reinforcing the importance of community participation in moon sighting. The Hijrah commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Makkah to Madinah—a cornerstone event in Islamic history.
In his statement as Chairman of the National Moon Sighting Committee, Sultan Abubakar III urged all Muslims to adhere strictly to this tradition. “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Monday 15th June, 2026 which is equivalent to 29th day of Zulhijja 1447AH shall be the day to look for the new moon of Muharram 1448AH,” he said. He further directed that reports should be submitted through established channels so religious bodies can verify claims before any public announcement is made.
Until an official declaration is issued by the Sultan following committee review, no date is fixed for celebration nationwide. Once confirmed, the beginning of Muharram will be formally announced and Hijrah 1447 activities will commence across Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Troops Arrest Inspector in Jos, Seize Pistols and 167 Rounds Linked to Arms Trafficking
Operation Enduring Peace intercepts police officer suspected of running interstate illegal weapons network in Plateau State
Operation Enduring Peace intercepts police officer suspected of running interstate illegal weapons network in Plateau State
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested an alleged arms trafficker identified as Inspector Danjuma Yusuf in Jos, Plateau State capital, recovering two pistols and 167 rounds of 9mm ammunition on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The arrest was made at a military checkpoint in the Makera axis of Riyom Local Government Area after the suspect was placed under surveillance.
According to a statement from Operation Enduring Peace, Yusuf—who was travelling in a white Peugeot vehicle from Jos South towards Makera—was apprehended with additional items including three cans of pepper spray, a jack knife, two mobile phones, two cutlasses, a police staff tag, photographs of himself in police uniform, two ATM cards, a National Identification Number (NIN) card, and ₦73,300 in cash.
Security officials say preliminary investigations link Yusuf to an interstate illegal weapons syndicate operating across state lines. The incident has heightened concerns about the involvement of security personnel in arms trafficking amid ongoing insecurity challenges facing Plateau State and the North-Central zone at large.
The statement from Operation Enduring Peace did not disclose further details on possible accomplices but emphasised that the suspect is now in custody and will face further interrogation. “The suspect was identified and intercepted based on credible intelligence. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms flow into conflict-prone areas,” the statement read.
Plateau State has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months. Security agencies have intensified checkpoints and patrols across vulnerable routes. As at press time, police authorities had yet to issue an official response regarding Inspector Yusuf’s status or possible disciplinary action. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment on the development.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Customs Intercepts ₦403.5m Worth of Smuggled Foreign Vegetable Oil in Enugu, Anambra and Delta States
Federal Operations Unit Zone C seizes over 3,300 jerrycans and 40 cartons following intelligence-led operations in Southeast
Federal Operations Unit Zone C seizes over 3,300 jerrycans and 40 cartons following intelligence-led operations in Southeast
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, has seized two trucks loaded with more than 3,310 jerrycans and 40 cartons of foreign vegetable oil valued at ₦403.5 million across Enugu, Anambra and Delta States. The interceptions took place on May 9 and June 7, according to a statement from the Comptroller of the Unit, Bishir Balogun.
Balogun disclosed that the first consignment was intercepted along the Ninth Mile area in Enugu on May 9 after credible intelligence was received by customs operatives. The second truck was apprehended along the Onitsha-Agbor highway in Delta State on June 7 during a routine patrol. Items seized include 3,310 jerrycans of 25-litre “Super Delicious” vegetable oil, ten jerrycans of ten-litre “Super Delicious” oil, twenty cartons of five-litre sunflower vegetable oil and twenty cartons of three-litre sunflower vegetable oil.
The operation highlights ongoing efforts by customs to curb the smuggling of foreign goods into the Nigerian market, a practice officials say undermines local producers and deprives government of much-needed revenue. Vegetable oil is among products restricted from importation as part of government’s policy to encourage local industry under the current administration.
Comptroller Balogun attributed the successful seizure to coordinated intelligence gathering and swift response by his officers in collaboration with other security agencies. “This operation is a clear demonstration of our resolve to fight smuggling and protect Nigeria’s economy,” he said in a written statement released on Monday. There was no immediate reaction from opposition parties or industry stakeholders as at press time.
The customs unit indicated that investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the attempted smuggling, while all seized items remain in government custody pending further action. The service reiterated its commitment to intensifying surveillance across border routes in Southeast and South-South zones.
Nigeria News (Standard)
House of Representatives Extends 2025 Federal Budget Implementation to September Nationwide
Lawmakers say extension will allow more capital projects to be completed; government agencies urged to accelerate spending
Lawmakers say extension will allow more capital projects to be completed; government agencies urged to accelerate spending
The House of Representatives has approved an extension of the 2025 federal budget implementation period until September, granting ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) nationwide additional time to utilise allocated funds for ongoing projects. The resolution was reached during a plenary session in Abuja on Monday, 15 June 2026, as lawmakers cited the need for improved capital expenditure delivery across Nigeria.
According to proceedings at the National Assembly, members agreed that extending the implementation window would enable critical infrastructure and development projects, many of which faced delays due to procurement bottlenecks and late releases of funds, to be completed before the end of the fiscal year. The decision affects both capital and recurrent expenditures under the current Appropriation Act.
The extension comes amid concerns about low budget performance in several sectors, with previous reports indicating that many MDAs had yet to fully disburse their allocations as at May. Lawmakers from various geopolitical zones argued that if the budget lapsed in June as earlier scheduled, numerous road, health, education, and power projects would remain unfinished, undermining government’s economic recovery agenda.
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations said during debate that ministries must take advantage of the new timeline by fast-tracking procurement processes and project execution. “This extension is not for frivolous spending but to ensure Nigerians feel the impact of public investments,” he stated on the floor. There was no immediate objection from opposition parties recorded at plenary.
With this development, all relevant MDAs are expected to accelerate implementation efforts over the next three months. The House also resolved to intensify oversight functions, warning that agencies failing to meet utilisation benchmarks risk sanctions or funding cuts in subsequent budgets.
Troops Arrest Inspector in Jos, Seize Pistols and 167 Rounds Linked to Arms Trafficking
Customs Intercepts ₦403.5m Worth of Smuggled Foreign Vegetable Oil in Enugu, Anambra and Delta States
House of Representatives Extends 2025 Federal Budget Implementation to September Nationwide
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