Two female pilgrims from Sokoto State have died in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, shortly after the successful completion of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The Deputy Amirul Hajj and Grand Khadi of Sokoto State, Alhaji Sodangi Acida, disclosed this in a statement released by the Head of Information and Communications of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruku Umar.
The deceased were identified as Ladi Umar from Bodinga Local Government Area and Hadiza Umar from Yabo Local Government Area.
According to Acida, two other female pilgrims who were involved in the same accident are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. He said one of them is being treated for a fracture, while the other suffered a dislocated arm.
The Deputy Amirul Hajj conveyed the condolences of the Sokoto State Government to the families of the deceased and prayed for Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them Aljannatul Firdaus.
He also announced that the first batch of Sokoto pilgrims is expected to leave Saudi Arabia for Nigeria on June 14. He explained that the return journey would follow the “first to arrive, first to depart” arrangement.
Acida further urged pilgrims to comply with the approved luggage regulations, stressing that each pilgrim must ensure their luggage does not exceed the 32-kilogram limit.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar JJ, thanked Governor Ahmad Aliyu for supporting the welfare of Sokoto pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.
He also commended members of the state delegation, the agency’s board and staff, as well as the pilgrims, for their cooperation, which he said contributed to the successful conduct of the 2026 Hajj operation.
