Mourning Among Nigerian Pilgrims As Death Recorded During Hajj in Saudi Arabia

A 70-year-old Nigerian pilgrim from Nasarawa State, Hajiya Rukayya Haliru, has passed away in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the ongoing 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The incident was confirmed on Wednesday by the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Speaking with journalists in Makkah, the Executive Secretary of the board, Mallam Idris Ahmad Almakura, disclosed that the deceased was from Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and had fallen ill before her death.

According to him, medical personnel assigned to the state’s pilgrims attended to her immediately after she complained of feeling unwell.

Despite efforts by the medical team to stabilise her condition, she later passed away.

“She complained of illness and despite medical intervention, she passed away this morning,” Almakura stated.

He added that officials of the pilgrims’ board, alongside members of the deceased’s family, were present at the hospital to oversee the necessary burial arrangements.

The remains of the late pilgrim were subsequently taken to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the Janazah prayer, the Islamic funeral rite performed for deceased Muslims.

The funeral prayers were attended by relatives, board officials and other Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Almakura also advised other pilgrims to pay close attention to their health throughout the Hajj exercise and urged them to immediately report any illness to the medical teams provided by the board.

He further extended condolences to the Nasarawa State Government, the family of the deceased and the management and staff of the pilgrims’ welfare board.

In a separate remark, a relative of the deceased, Abdulwab Aboki, appreciated the board for its support and assistance to the family during the difficult period.

He praised the officials for their transparency and care throughout the burial arrangements.