2 more Hajj pilgrims from Kebbi confirmed dead
Story from Uji A. ILIYASU
Two pilgrims from Kebbi state have passed on. While Hajiya Maryamu Mayalo of the Maiyama local government area of Kebbi State died after a protracted illness in Mecca, Alhaji Malami Besse of Koko Besse died in Kebbi on Sunday shortly after returning from Saudi Arabia.
The developments were disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the executive chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruk Inabo.
According to the statement, Mayalo died on Sunday at King Abdulazeez Hospital in Mecca.
The deaths of Mayalo and Besse bring to five the number of 2024 Hajj pilgrims from Kebbi State who had passed on.
The government had weeks ago announced the deaths of Tawalkatu Alako from Jega local government area, Abubakar Argungu and Muhammad Suleiman from Argungu LGA.
Saudi Arabian authorities said, last week, that about 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died in the Holy Land during this year’s Hajj. Most of the deaths were attributed to heat waves.
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The Kebbi pilgrim agency, in the statement on Sunday, said “The late Hajiya Maryamu will be buried after Asr prayer at Haram Mosque according to Islamic rites.
“Governor Nasir Idris has expressed his condolence over the death of the pilgrim, Hajiya Maryamu, and prayed for Allah SWT to grant her Aljanna Firdausi and the families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“Similarly, the governor is extending his condolence to the state pilgrims welfare agency, the people of Koko Besse LGA and the families of late Alhaji Malami Besse of Koko Besse, Hajj Guide, who died this Sunday morning after returning home from Saudi Arabia.
“The Governor prayed for Allah SWT to grant the decease eternal rest and the families to bear the irreplaceable loss.”