Two Nigerian pilgrims die hours before departure to Saudi Arabia for Hajj

They died on Sunday and Monday, before their departure to Saudi Arabia for holy pilgrimage.

The Registration Officer of the local government, Aminu Surajo, who announced their death said the deceased have since been buried according to Islamic rites.

It was learnt that the deceased would have been among the 1st batch to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.

About 2,491 Kaduna pilgrims are expected to perform this year’s hajj exercise.

Meanwhile, the acting Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, has charged the 1st batch of the state’s intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and the country in general while in the holy land.

Balarabe, while speaking at the farewell visit to the intending pilgrims at the Mando Hajj Transit camp on Tuesday, appealed to them to pray for Kaduna State and the country at large.

She said, “I say Alhamdulillah for this opportunity that Allah has given us to see the airlift of the 1st batch of Kaduna pilgrims that will be leaving for the holy land. I have come to bid them farewell and I pray that Allah in His mercies will take them to Saudi Arabia safely, and when they are through with their hajj, Allah in His mercy will bring them back safely.

“Our message to them is that we want them to be good ambassadors of not only Kaduna State, but Nigeria as a whole. They should conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of emulation by each and every pilgrim that will be at the holy land.

“We also urge them to make out time since it is a time for prayer and reflection, that they should pray for the country, pray for Kaduna state and pray for our leaders.”

The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Dr. Yusuf Yakub Arrigassiyyu, commended the state government for taking measures to ensure a hitch-free exercise. (Daily Trust)