Tragedy struck the Zamfara State chapter of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday, August 31, as the party lost three council chairmen in Makkah, Saudi The victims include Jafaru Gidan Sambo of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area (LGA), Mudi Mallamawa of Shinkafi LGA and Abdullahi Shugaba Ruwan Dorowa of Maru LGA.

The trio died in a bus crash 120 kilometres from Madina while travelling from the holy city to Madina.

Survivors of the crash Nasiru Anka of Anka LGA, Tafa Nasarawa Bukkuyum of Bukkuyum LGA and Garba Ziti of Gummi LGA.

Commissioner in Charge of Health Matters, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Dr. Ibrahim Kana, revealed that the Saudi authorities called to inform the Nigerian handlers of the pilgrims of the accident.

The deceased have been moved to the King Fahd Hospital, Madina while the survivors are currently taking treatment at a hospital near the scene of the accident, on the outskirts of Madina.

Kana disclosed that a team of Nigerian medical team has been dispatched to Madina, on the orders of NAHCON chairman, Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad, to liaise with Saudi authorities for necessary documentation and burial arrangements.

The recent incident brings the number of pilgrim deaths in the holy land to 10 this year. (The Nation)

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