Hajj 2018: Nigeria loses 2 pilgrims in one day

ONE of the pilgrims from Niger State, (name withheld) according to National Hajj Commission, (NAHCON) source fell from a faulty lift at the hotel where pilgrims from Niger State were lodged.

The deceased from Chanchaga local government area of Niger state gave up the ghost instantly despite prompt dispatch of medical personnel who later certified him dead after medical checks.

Another female pilgrim from Kaduna State, Habiba Muhammad Dogara from Lere Local Government Area died at a Hospital in Makkah, after a protracted illness.

Wednesday incident has since increased casualty figure of Nigerian pilgrims to four.

Findings revealed that the lift that killed the Niger state pilgrims had been faulty for days.

In his condolence message, the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Barrister Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad, expressed his concern over the incident and prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased and give the family, the government and people of Niger State, the pilgrims in particular the fortitude to bear the loss.

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Barrister Mohammad, represented by NAHCON Commissioner in charge of health Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana in a condolence visit to pilgrims from Niger state, said the Saudi authorities and their security agents have waded into the issue.

In his remarks, the Niger State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji while expressing gratitude over the condolence visit, however, urged NAHCON to get to the root of the neglect which led to the unwarranted loss of human life.

He further demanded that those found guilty should be punished to serve as deterrence against future occurrence.