Three pilgrims from Zamfara State have been confirmed dead in a motor crash along Makkah-Madinah road shortly after the completion of this year’s hajj rituals in the Holy land.
The Public Relations Officer of the State Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Malam Yakub-Yahaya Talata-Mafara, who confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview, said that those who died are chairmen of local governments in the state.
Talata-Mafara said that the accident occurred around 3.00am today, Friday, while they were travelling from Makkah to Madina, Saudi Arabia, saying: “three died, while three others are receiving treatment at Saudi Arabia Hospital.”
He said that the remains of the deceased were under the custody of the Saudi Arabian authorities where they would be processed for burial.
“Hajj officials of the Zamfara contingents are making the necessary documentation to join the Saudi Arabian authorities in order to give the deceased befitting burial,’’ he said.
Reacting, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Lawal M-Liman, described the death as a great loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
M-Liman described the deceased as loyal members of the party who had been in good relationship with their communities.
Source: NAN
