The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Wednesday condoled with the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board over the death of one of its pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
The pilgrim, Oloshogbo Isiaka Idris, died on Tuesday evening after he returned from the Grand Mosque in Makkah, where he went to perform Tawaf (circumambulation) as part of Umrah (lesser Hajj).
His death was made known by the LSMPWB secretary, Saheed Onipede, who informed the 68-year-old Idris, from Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos State, died while having his dinner after the Maghrib prayer.
According to him, though the cause of death was unknown, it may not be unconnected to high blood pressure and the stress the deceased passed through during the tawaf.
The deceased has since been buried in Makkah in accordance with Islamic rites following a Janazah prayer held for him at the Grand Mosque.
NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, however, on behalf of the Nigerian Hajj body condoled with the government and people of Lagos State over the death of the late Idris.
Represented by a delegation led by NAHCON’s Makkah Coordinator, Dr Aliyu Tanko, which paid a condolence visit to the Lagos State board over the death of the deceased.
He, however, used the opportunity of the visit to sensitise the Lagos pilgrims on the importance of the Nusuk card, which according to him, was the only means to access Masha’er locations.
The death of the Lagos pilgrim brought to three the number of Nigerian pilgrims who have died this year in Saudi Arabia.
Idris’ death followed the earlier deaths of two Kebbi State pilgrims who died within a spate of 24 hours.
Hajiya Tawalkati Busare Alako popularly known as Maman Biyu, was the first to die. She died on Saturday, May 25, a few days after she arrived in Makkah from Madina where she spent her first four days in Saudi Arabia.
Barely 24 hours later, the death was announced of Algaji Muhammad Suleman from Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Both had since been buried in Makkah.