The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the death of a Nigerian pilgrim in Saudi Arabia.
Muhammad Musa, NAHCON’s head of media operations, disclosed the news in a press statement on Sunday.
Garba Takware, chairman of the Kebbi pilgrims board, identified the deceased as Tawakaltu Alako. He explained that Alako collapsed in her Makkah hotel on Saturday.
“She was on her way to collect food in her hotel in Makkah when she suddenly slumped. Prior to that, she was hale and hearty,” Takware stated.
“We quickly rushed her to the hospital but she was already unconscious by the time we got there.”
Takware added that all other arrangements for the pilgrims, including feeding, accommodation, and medical care, were proceeding as planned. “But this sad occurrence came from God and is beyond our control,” he said.
Musa reported that Jalal Arabi, NAHCON’s chairman, has sent his condolences to the Kebbi pilgrims board and the family of the deceased.
NAHCON began airlifting pilgrims from Nigeria on May 15. As of today, 20,154 out of the 65,000 pilgrims scheduled to be airlifted have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.
