Mecca Stampede: 54 Nigerians Confirmed Dead

Fifty-four Nigerians have been confirmed dead from the stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, during this year’s Hajj.

Scene from the hajj stampede

According to The Punch, Alhaji Abdullahi Muktar Mohammed, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), confirmed this on Monday, September 28 at 12.16am in Makkah.

According to the chairman, 42 out of the 54 that died were from states pilgrims welfare board including two officials of NAHCON, while others were among those on the pilgrimage by private tour operators.

READ ALSO: Mecca Tragedy: Holding Saudi Arabia Accountable

He listed Bauchi, Borno, Zamfara, Cross River, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe as those that lost pilgrims to the stampede.

Alhaji Mohammed said there is hope that the missing pilgrims would still be found, adding that committees have been set up to intensify the search for missing pilgrims.

Abdulkadir Jega, the brother of the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, were among those who died during the stampede that led to the death of over 700 pilgrims at Mina.

READ ALSO: EPIC PHOTOS: Two Million Muslim Pilgrims Gather To Pray At Mount Arafat For Hajj

Amirul Hajj and Emir of Argungu, Samaila Mera, speaker of Kebbi state House of Assembly and his deputy, Governor Atiku Bagudu’s family were among pilgrims who survived the incident.

Hajj this year has already been marred by the unfortunate crane accident in which over 100 people were killed and dozens severely injured.

At least 6 Nigerians were involved in the Saudi crane incident at the Holy Mosque, Ka’aba, in Mecca on Friday, September 11.

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