According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), six of the 95,000 Nigerians who traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj this year have passed away.
Dr. Usman Galadima, the director of the NAHCON medical team for the pilgrimage, said this in Makkah on June 24, 2023, on Saturday night.
Speaking to stakeholders at a pre-Arafat conference, he revealed that two of the deceased pilgrims were from Osun State, one from Kaduna, and one from the Plateau.
One of them, he claimed, passed away from a cardiac attack, and the others had ailments he kept quiet about.
According to Galadima, whose presentation was titled “Vital Events as of June 24, 2023,” the team helped 30 pilgrims who were experiencing mental health issues.
He did, however, reassure the patients that they would perform the hajj because they “are now in a stable state.
According to him, among the pilgrims there were seven pregnancies, with two from Sokoto State and one each from Adamawa, Kwara, Yobe, Plateau, and Katsina.
Galadima further revealed that two miscarriages had been noted, and a pilgrim with diabetes had his leg amputated.
He said that his staff provided consultations to 15, 860 Nigerian pilgrims in total and sent roughly 100 of them to Saudi hospitals.
Earlier, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan, said all the 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims had been airlifted for the exercise.
“I want to appreciate the support and guidance of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima for their support in many ways. Our being here today is made possible for their support and guidance on the leadership of NAHCON,” he said.