Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed the death of the state’s Amirul Hajj for the 2015 pilgrimage, Alhaji Ibrahim, the First Class ruler of Zing.
Chairman of the board, Alhaji Hamman-Adama Tukur, confirmed the incident. According to him, the emir died on Thursday during the stampede, adding that the body of the late traditional ruler was buried in Makkah on Friday.
So far, 20 Nigerian pilgrims have been confirmed dead. Tukur disclosed that many indigenes of Taraba are still missing, while a few others, whose names he did not mention, but who sustained injuries, are receiving treatment in Saudi hospitals.
Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, Chief Press Secretary to Taraba Governor, also confirmed the death of the monarch.
However, he said consultation was still ongoing between the state government and the Zing Traditional Council, before a formal pronouncement would be made.
The Zing Traditional Council has also confirmed that the Emir died along with two of his four wives during the stampede.
The Tafidan Zing, Gurama Bawa, who confirmed the death of the wives, said the late emir was 62 years old and had been on the throne for 19 years. He left behind, two wives and 13 children.
