Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed the death, through suicide, of a female pilgrim from Kwara State, Nigeria.
In a statement today, June 9, by the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Board, Abdulsalam AbdulKabir, said that the pilgrim, Hajiya Hawawu died as a result of what the Saudi authorities found to be “an unfortunate suicidal episode from the rooftop of her apartment in Madina.
“Hajiya Hawawu Mohammed (who arrived with Batch 9) died following what Saudi authorities have investigated and found to be an unfortunate suicidal episode from the rooftop of her apartment in Madina.”
The statement did not give details of the reason for the suicide, but said that another pilgrim from the same Kwara, Saliu Mohammed, died in Madina, in an intensive care unit of a public hospital in Madina after a brief illness.
“Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Board sends heartfelt commiserations to the families of two of our pilgrims who returned to their Lord in Madina, Saudi Arabia.
“Saliu Mohammed, who arrived with Batch 3 of the state contingent, died in an intensive care unit of a public hospital in Madina after suddenly falling ill
“The pilgrims’ board deeply regrets these sad events but submits totally to the decree and ultimate knowledge of Allaah in all affairs.
“The board sends profound condolences to their families and asks Allaah to grant them comfort and forgive the deceased.”
The death of the two Kwara pilgrims added to the number of Nigerian pilgrims who had died in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of this year’s Hajj, which is scheduled to commence on Friday, June 14.
A female pilgrim from Kebbi State, Hajiya Tawalkatu Busare Alako, popularly known as Maman Biyu, was the first to die on May 25 in Makkah a few days after arriving at the holy city from Madina, and barely 24 hours after her death, Alhaji Muhammad Suleman also died in Makkah.
A Lagos State pilgrim, 68-year-old Oloshogbo Isiaka Idris, died on May 28 also in Makkah after returning from the Grand Mosque, where he went to perform tawaf (circumambulation) as part of Umrah (lesser Hajj).
Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has completed the airlift of all the 50,661 Muslims, including officials to the Holy land for the performance of pilgrimage this year.
The last flight by Flynas airline departed Minna to Madinah today, June 9, by about 3:53pm, conveying 428 Niger State Pilgrims and two Officials.
The pilgrims were airlifted in a total of 120 flights.
