Two Nigerian pilgrims on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia have died within 24 hours. Incidentally, both pilgrims were from Kebbi State and died in Mecca.

The first pilgrim, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, died yesterday, Saturday May 25, while the second, Alhaji Muhammad Suleman, passed away on Sunday after a brief illness.

Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, Executive Chairman, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Mecca on Sunday.

He said: “The deceased died on Sunday after a brief illness and his funeral prayer took place at the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Ka’aba).

“He was buried according to Islamic rites on the same day.

“On behalf of the Kebbi Government, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, Kebbi pilgrims and the entire people of the state.

“We pray to the Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant his soul as well as the souls of departed Muslims, Jannatul Firdaus.”

The chairman urged the family of the deceased to take heart and accept the will of God Almighty in good faith, observing that no soul would live beyond its designated time. (NAN)

Earlier, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, had sent a delegation to condole the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board over the death of one of the first pilgrim.

The chairman's condolence message was delivered by the Makkah Office Coordinator, Dr. Aliyu Tanko, to the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board officials led by Alhaji Garba Takware.

He expressed his sympathy to the family and the people of Kebbi State and prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.

In his response, Takware thanked the leadership of the Commission for the visit and prayed for a successful hajj operation.

Special supplication was made for the soul of the deceased, other pilgrims and for Nigeria.

Those who accompanied the Coordinator on the visit included Saudi Liaison Officer, Ustaz Abubakar Lamin, among other staff. (Additional reports by NAN)

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