Saudi Hajj tragedy: 54 Nigerians dead

The death toll of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia stampede, which occurred on Thursday, has risen to 54.

Among them are two justices of the Court of Appeal, Justice Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega, brother of former INEC Chairman, Profesor Attahiru Jega, and Justice Musa Hassan Alkali, and a journalist and columnist, Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf.

Sokoto State lost nine pilgrims in the stampede while the the Amirul Hajj of Taraba State, Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim, and two of his wives are also among the dead.

Read also: Tragedies: Saudi Arabia orders hajj safety review

Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board confirmed the death and a statement from Sokoto State Government said that its officials, led by the Amirul Hajj and leader of its delegation, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, have confirmed the death.

The statement was issued on Saturday by Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s spokesperson, Imam Imam.

A staff of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was also said to have died in the stampede.

The the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam on Sunday urged the Saudi Arabian authorities to probe the stampede.

“This is one tragedy too many,” the JNI in a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna, on Sunday, said.

The Saudi Arabia stampede occurred in Mina in Mecca.

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