No casualty has been recorded at the Ogun State’s pilgrim’s camp in Saudi Arabia, a top government official has said.
Dr. Izhaq Yusuf chairman of the state’s Piligrims Welfare Board, who made this known in Mina, Saudi Arabia, said it was imperative to clear the air because of media reports about the deaths of unidentified Nigerian pilgrims in the holy land.
He said the Saudi authorities had reported the deaths of 500 pilgrims taking part in the ongoing Hajj, while the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had also confirmed officially that five Nigerians were among those who died.
The chairman while stating that the state’s delegation will leave for Mount Arafat today after noon prayer, expressed gratitude to Allah for keeping the pilgrims in sound health, assuring that officials of the board were working tirelessly to ensure a successful hajj.
Meanwhile, ýOgun State Muslim pilgrims currently performing this year’s hajj have been enjoined to attach importance to the required rites for a bountiful reward from Allah.
Yusuf gave the admonition at a 3-day lecture titled “Overview of Hajj Operation” organised for the pilgrims in preparation for the major aspect of the hajj exercise in the holy land.
He emphasised on the significance of Arafat Day, while stating that any pilgrim who missed the prayer on that particular day would have the hajj nullified by Allah.