The deaths of five Nigerian pilgrims during this year’s hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, have been confirmed.
This was announced by the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mohammed on Tuesday in Islam’s holiest city. According to the report, he made the disclosure at the 2017 pre-Arafat meeting with Hajj stakeholders.
Mohammed remained silent on the identities of the late pilgrims as well as the circumstances that led to their death, saying such information can only be disclosed after their families have been informed.
He also pleaded with the media to withhold the details so as not to further devastate the families of the affected pilgrims.
A total of 81,200 Nigerian pilgrims are performing this year’s hajj, all of whom have converged on Makkah.
A few other pilgrims came directly to Makkah after flying into Saudi Arabia through the nearby city of Jeddah. On Wednesday, the pilgrims will move to the city of Mina to spend the eve of the 9th of Dhul-Hijah.
The pilgrims will then proceed to Arafat on Thursday, praising Allah and reciting the Qur’an.
Concise News had earlier reported that Nigeria’s first lady, Aisha Buhari on Tuesday joined other Muslim faithful for the Hajj after leaving Nigeria for Saudi Arabia .
According to the personal assistant to the first lady, Zaynab Ikaz-Kassim, Aisha left Abuja on Tuesday afternoon to join millions of Muslims to perform this year’s Hajj.
