The Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed the death of a 70-year-old female pilgrim from the state, Hajiya Rukayya Haliru, in Mecca.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Mallam Idris Ahmad Almakura, confirmed the death to journalists in Mecca, adding that the deceased passed on after complaining of illness.
He said the late Hajiya Haliru, who was from Keffi Local Government Area of the state, died on Wednesday morning despite the medical attention given to her, and described her death as a huge loss to all.
Almakura and other officials of the Nasarawa Muslim Pilgrims Board, alongside family members of the deceased, were on hand at the hospital to prepare her remains for burial after the Janazah prayer performed at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
A relative of the deceased, Abdulwab Aboki, who was present during the funeral, appreciated officials of the state pilgrims board for their support and transparency throughout, saying the family remained grateful to all despite their loss.
Condoling with the family of the deceased on behalf of the state government, Almakura charged the remaining pilgrims from the state to take their health seriously, prioritise it, and report any symptoms early to the medical teams attached to the board.
Hajiya Haliru’s death brought to two the number of Nigerian pilgrims to this year’s Hajj who have died in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Last Saturday, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the death of Mallama Aishatu Muhammadu, who died as a result of a fatal cardiac arrest en route from Jeddah to Madinah.
Mallama Muhammadu, who was from Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was aged 73.