Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the death of two female pilgrims from the state in Saudi Arabia.
An official of the board, Hassan Bindawa, made the announcement in Makkah on Thursday.
Bindawa said Rakiya Dandagoro died early Wednesday while Fatima Malumfashi died on July 23.
Head of Nigeria’s medical team, Ibrahim Kana, had earlier announced the death of Malumfashi but did not mention her name.
Bindawa said the pilgrims died due to brief illness that manifested in the Holy city of Madinah.
He added that both pilgrims died at the hospital while receiving medical care and had since been buried after funeral prayers at the masajidul haram in the Holy Ka’aba.
Bindawa said the delay in making the formal announcement of the demise of the pilgrims was due to protocol issues with the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) who was the custodian of every Nigerian pilgrim.
He added that the families of the deceased had since been notified of their death.
“We expect God’s mercy on them as whoever died pursuing this cause will definitely meet the blessing of the Almighty Allah,” he said.
The official also cautioned the pilgrims against exposing themselves to the harsh climatic condition in the Holy land.
“I advise all pilgrims to always perform their rituals in the morning or evening hours of the day to avoid the negative impact of the scorching sun on their health,” he said.
He also warned the pilgrims against unnecessary spending, and advised them to “suspend shopping until after the Hajj schedule.”
About 3,116 pilgrims from Katsina State are expected to perform the 2019 Hajj.
