A Nigerian pilgrim from the Kwara State contingent, Hajia Hawawu Mohammed, has allegedly committed suicide in Madina, Saudi Arabia after she fell from her roof top, Saudi Authorities have revealed.
This was further confirmed by the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Board on Sunday in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary Abdulsalam AbdulKabir. No further details have emerged surrounding the unfortunate death.
The Kwara State Board also confirmed the death of another pilgrim from the state, Saliu Mohammed, in the same statement . Salisu passed away in an intensive care unit of a public health facility in Madina after taken ill.
Also, the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board announced the death of another pilgrim in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Abubakar Abdullahi from Gulma town in Argungu Local Government Area .
In addition, two Nigerian pilgrims, Tawalkatu Busare Alako and Muhammad Suleman, passed away in Makkah, Saudi Arabia . Another pilgrim from Lagos also had earlier passed away in Makkah.
It will be recalled that for 2023 hajj, The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) revealed that 14 Nigerian pilgrims who travelled for the exercise died in Saudi Arabia .
The National Hajj Commission also stated that two women gave birth in Saudi Arabia and three cases of chickenpox were recorded that necessitated the isolation of the pilgrims to avoid a spread during the religious exercise.
The worrying scenario brings to the fore the necessity of enforcing proper pre- hajj medical screening in Nigeria to prevent those not medically fit embarking on the journey.
Hajj rites are set to begin on Friday.
