The three missing pilgrims from Kebbi State that are performing this year’s pilgrimage have been rescued by government officials in Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
They are part of the delegation sponsored by the Kebbi state government to perform the spiritual exercise.
Chief Press Secretary the Governor, Mallam Ahmed Idris confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja.
Executive Director, Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Kebbi State branch, Nasir Idris, was said to have confirmed that they had rescued a woman from the Kamba Local Council of the state.
He said the woman, who missed her way back home, instead, went behind the Al-Masjid Al-Haram (Kaaba), leading to a different area.
“As Kebbi State Government officials, we have to intervene and redirect her back home through a taxi service,” he said.
Idris added that the officials, sometimes, assist in translation and stand as intermediaries due to language barriers, adding that they also offer useful suggestions to committees to ensure a successful hajj.
He said the activities of officials were not restricted to Kebbi, as they equally assist other Nigerian pilgrims in need.
“We recently rescued two women from Bauchi State, who missed their way to their hotel, but the quick intervention of Kebbi State officials led them to their hotels without difficulty,” Idris stated.
The spokesman added that the humanitarian services being rendered by them would run throughout the pilgrimage, appealing for more support and cooperation from pilgrims for a successful exercise.
Also, One of the Lagos State pilgrims, Oloshogbo Isiaka Idris, lost his life on his return from Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, on Tuesday.
The announcement, which was made by Secretary of Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Saheed Onipede, revealed that the 68-year-old from the Shomolu council area, died while taking his dinner.
Onipede emphasised that while the cause of his death was yet to be medically ascertained, the death could not be unconnected with high blood pressure and the stress he passed through during the tawaf.
While extending the government’s condolences to the immediate family and friends of the deceased, he prayed that Allah would forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanat Firdaus, as well as the reward of the hajj, since he already had the intention.
He appealed to other pilgrims to exercise caution and refrain from overstressing themselves before the commencement of the real hajj rites.
The deceased has been buried in Makkah in line with the laid down principles of Saudi Arabian authorities.
A board member, Waheed Ololade Shonibare, led other state government officials and some pilgrims to observe the janazah prayer for the pilgrim in Kaabah.
Meanwhile, the last batch of pilgrims will proceed to Makkah from Madinah today in continuation of other aspects of the spiritual exercise, after spending the mandatory four days allowed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for pilgrims to stay in Madinah.
Speaking on the conduct of the pilgrims in Madinah, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, said they conducted themselves very well and hoped that the conduct would be sustained at Makkah, where they are e to stay much longer.
