Two Justices of the Court of Appeal are among the hundreds of pilgrims who died in the stampede in Saudi Arabia.
They are Justices Abdulkadir Abubakar Jega and Musa Hassan Alkali.
Justice Jega was the presiding Justice of Abuja division, while Justice Alkali was of the Ilorin division of the Court of Appeal.
It was learnt that they were in Saudi Arabia for the annual Holy Pilgrimage.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed has sent condolence messages to families of the two late judicial officers.
Media aide to the CJN, Ahurakah Isah said, in a statement issued Saturday evening, that the CJN commiserates, on behalf of the nation’s Judiciary, with “the Court of Appeal and the families of two Justices of the Court of Appeal who died during the unfortunate stampede last Thursday 24 September 2015 in Mina, Saudi Arabia while in the Holy Land to perform Hajj Pilgrimage.”
“The Chief Justice of Nigeria said the death of the revered jurists is not just a huge loss to the Judiciary ,but Nigeria in entirety, adding that both men of the Bench have contributed immensely to the development of our jurisprudence.
“The CJN, Justice Mohammed on behalf of the entire Judiciary in the country prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed Justices eternal rest and their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“Justice Mohammed expressed his personal condolences to the immediate family and relations as well as friends and associates of the highly respected jurists who will be greatly missed by the entire judiciary.
“His Lordship urges members of the deceased families to be comforted by the knowledge that the departed jurists served their country with commitment, dedication and honesty.
“The CJN prays that Almighty Allah will receive their soul and grant them al-janah,” Isah said.
Tag: Saudi Arabia
-
Two Court of Appeal Justices among victims of Saudi Arabia stampede
-
Hajj: Buhari condoles with victims, seeks correction of flaws
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the colossal calamity which occurred on Thursday in the Saudi Arabia, claiming the lives of hundreds of pilgrims, including Nigerians.
According to President Buhari, the stampede at Mina in which a notable Nigerian Journalist, Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, Prof. Tijjani El-Miskin and others lost their lives is a monumental tragedy, not only for citizens of the countries involved, but for the global Islamic community.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also extended condolences to the families of the over 700 pilgrims who lost their lives in the disaster in the Holy Places which occurred less than two weeks after a crane collapse in Mecca that claimed more than a hundred lives.
He commiserated with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists on the sad loss of Hajiya Bilkisu, an exemplary, dedicated, knowledgeable, very credible, highly-respected, outstanding editor and columnist who, even in death, will remain a glittering role model for journalists, within and outside Nigeria.
The statement reads: “The President has taken note of the assurance by the Government of Saudi Arabia that Thursday’s catastrophe will be investigated and urges King Salman to ensure a comprehensive and thorough exercise that will identify any flaws in Hajj organisation with a view to avoiding a recurrence of such tragedies during the annual pilgrimage.
“In the knowledge that it is not within our powers to question the will of God, President Buhari prays that Almighty Allah will comfort the families who lost their beloved ones in the stampede and receive the souls of all those who died in the Holy Land while fulfilling the religious obligation of the Hajj,” It stated
-
‘How pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia’
Death toll now 736
The Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed that at least 453 pilgrims taking part in the ongoing Hajj have died while 405 others sustained injuries Thursday on their way from Muzdalifa to Jamrat, where the symbolic stoning of devil takes place near the city of Makka.
However, as at the time of filing this report, a Saudi Television Channel, ‘Saudi 2’ said death toll has risen to 736.
According to various accounts, the incident was caused by a stampede close to Jamrat owing to the high number of pilgrims who have converged in Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage.
Speaking to The Nation, Alhaji Muhamadu Ilela, a pilgrim from Sokoto state who was at the scene, said that the deaths occurred because the Saudi police blocked one of the gates leading to the Jamrat area.
‘’For over one hour, the queue didn’t move and we were in the scorching sun. After some time, people started collapsing because of the heat wave. This was what caused the initial deaths. A stampede followed which caused the deaths of most pilgrims,’’ Ilela stated.
The eye witness said that the victims were of different nationalities.
Speaking to our correspondent on phone, the Public Relations Officer of the state National Hajj Commission, Uba Mana said that Emir of Kano and Amir of the Hajj team and all other stakeholders were meeting at the time of filing this report.
Another respondent alleged that the incident occurred at one of the tents at Muna and not Muzdalifa.
The Saudi Civil Defence Directorate did not state the cause of the deaths and where the incident precisely occurred. However, it reported on Twitter that 4,000 personnel had been sent to the scene of stampede, along with more than 220 emergency and rescue units.
It will be recalled that last Sunday, the Head of Nigerian delegation for this year’s Hajj and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, urged pilgrims to accept the arrangement which the
Saudi Authorities have put in place over ‘’the stoning of the devil’’ at Jamrat.
Amirul Hajj Sanusi revealed that performing the stoning of the devil in batches and spreading the time for the Islamic rite to include the period of Zawal (sun rise) is necessary to protect the lives of pilgrims.
The Emir noted that ‘’on many occasion, pilgrims have been killed at the stoning site from stampede arising out of thousands of pilgrims converging to do the throwing at the same time, among number of causes.’’
Emir Sanusi II recalled that 266 pilgrims had died in 1994 while 98 others were injured at the
stoning site that year. Ten years later, 251 pilgrims died in 2004 and in 2006, 346 had also lost their lives, he added.
According to him, ‘’all these incidents happened at the Jamarat. The frequency and sheer enormity necessitated the following arrangement of the concerned authority, by performing the ritual in a way that will protect human life.’’
The Emir argued that if lives will be protected by performing the ritual before sun rise, then one of the fundamental objectives of Sharia will be fulfilled at the level of absolute necessities. -
717 pilgrims die in hajj stampede
At least 717 pilgrims died and hundreds of others were injured on Thursday in a major stampede on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia during the ongoing annual hajj pilgrimage.
AFP reported that no fewer than 863 pilgrims were injured in the crush according to the Saudi civil defense directorate, which provided update on the death toll.
Thursday’s crush happened in Mina, a large valley about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Mecca that has been the site of hajj stampedes in years past.
Mina is where pilgrims carry out a symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone columns. It also houses more than 160,000 tents where pilgrims spend the night during the pilgrimage.
Thursday’s tragedy struck during a morning surge of pilgrims at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 as the faithful were making their way toward a large structure overlooking the columns, according to the Saudi civil defense directorate.
The multi-story structure, known as Jamarat Bridge, is designed to ease the pressure of the crowds and prevent pilgrims from being trampled.
Ambulance sirens blared as rescue crews rushed the injured to nearby hospitals.
More than 220 rescue vehicles and some 4,000 members of the emergency services were deployed soon after the stampede to try to ease the congestion and provide alternative exit routes, according to the directorate. -
I was never detained in Saudi Arabia, says Barata
A former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Sen. Hassan Barata, yesterday said he was never detained in Saudi Arabia for false claims.
He said he has not travelled out of the country since he completed his tenure in the 7th Senate in June.
He also said he is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and does not contemplate any defection.
Barata, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent on telephone, said he left Yola on Friday for Kaduna with the Governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow.
He said: “I have been in Nigeria; I don’t know anything about anybody’s arrest in Saudi Arabia. I am not in detention in Saudi Arabia. I am here in the country.
“Since I left office, I have not travelled anywhere; I have not gone to Saudi Arabia and I have not even travelled to Cameroon.
“I had been receiving calls from many Nigerians but I have told them that if I am in detention in Saudi Arabia, I could not have been talking to them.
“I am under pressure to sue for libel but this newspaper belongs to us, I cannot go to court against my boss whom I respect so much.”
Responding to a question, Barata said: “Since 1999, I had been in the National Assembly. I would rather be a Senator than being a staff of an embassy. Which one do you think is more honourable?
“The story is somehow because as I am talking to you, I travelled with the Governor of Adamawa State from Yola to Kaduna for a meeting of some governors.
“If I don’t belong to APC, I won’t be able to travel with him. I have not defected to any party.”
He said he had not been using official or diplomatic passport.
Barata added: “I have never been used official or diplomatic passport because I want my passport to be rich. I prefer to be using my green passport.
“It is such a mischief. I have surrendered everything in my possession. This is not my first time in the National Assembly.”
-
Nigerian military extends medical help to pilgrims in Saudi
Nigerian Armed Forces members on Holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia have extended medical treatment to other Nigerian pilgrims in the Holy Land.
This was also as other pilgrims from respective Nigerian states benefitted from Hajj lecture organised by the Armed Forces in Madina.
Explaining why the soldiers were rendering such humanitarian assistance, Director Islamic Affairs, Nigerian Army, Colonel Shehu Garba Mustapha told our Correspondent that, it was part of their training that anywhere they find themselves, they protect Nigerians therein.
Colonel Mustapha who is also the leader of the Armed Forces delegation to Saudi Arabia said, though they were not in Saudi Arabia to provide such services to pilgrims, but to members of the Armed forces and their families on Holy pilgrimage.
According to him, 400 Armed Forces officers and personnel, including their families were in Saudi Arabia for the 2015 Hajj exercise.
“So, just like states, the Nigerian Armed Forces get allocation from the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) every year and we pay for the seats. This year, 400 of us including over 10 generals from the three services are on the Holy pilgrimage, including members of our family.
“Therefore, it is mandatory for us to provide medical care for our members, that is why we are here with our medical team. But, along the line other pilgrims who stay in the same house with us here in Madina come for medical care and since they are Nigerians, we have to provide them with such care.
“First, as Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught us that, ‘none of you is a true believer until he loves for his neighbour what he loves for himself’. Secondly, by training, any where you see a soldier, be it, Army, Air Force or Navy, his thinking is to protect the integrity of Nigeria and lives and property of its people. That is why we are giving such support even though we know respective states came with their medical team, we cannot turn back those who approach us for care.
“Similarly, when we organised lecture on how to perform Hajj and Umrah, other Nigerian pilgrims attended and we happy they benefitted from it. So, the military has human face, it’s not just about war,” Colonel Mustapha said.
-
Crane collapse: Buhari seeks safety of Nigerian pilgrims
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to ensure the security and well-being of Nigerian pilgrims.
He gave the directive in a statement to commiserate with King Salman, the people of Saudi Arabia and the worldwide Islamic community over the tragic loss of lives in
Friday’s crane collapse at the Grand Mosque of Mecca in which not less that 107 persons died.
As details of the deaths and injuries sustained in the unfortunate incident unfolds, President Buhari urged the officials to closely monitor developments and take necessary action.
He urged Nigerians to pray for the continued safety of their compatriots who are currently in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.
According to the a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Sehu, Buhari also prayed that Almighty Allah will receive the souls of those killed in the incident and grant the injured speedy recovery.
-
I was never detained in Saudi Arabia, says Senator Barata
A former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Sen. Hassan Barata Friday said he was never detained in Saudi Arabia for false claims.
He said he has not traveled out of the country since he completed his tenure in the 7th Senate in June.
He also said he was still in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and does not contemplate any defection.
Barata, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent on the telephone, said he left Yola on Friday for Kaduna with the Governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow.
He said: “I have been in Nigeria; I don’t know anything about anybody’s arrest in Saudi Arabia. I am not in detention in Saudi Arabia. I am here in the country.
“Since I left office, I have not traveled anywhere; I have not gone to Saudi Arabia and I have not even traveled to Cameroon.
“I had been receiving calls from many Nigerians but I have told them that if I am in detention in Saudi Arabia, I could not have been talking to them.
“I am under pressure to sue for libel but this newspaper belongs to us, I cannot go to court against my boss whom I respect so much.”
Responding to a question, Barata said: “Since 1999, I had been in the National Assembly. I would rather be a Senator than being a staff of an embassy. Which one do you think is more honourable?
“The story is somehow because as I am talking to you, I traveled with the Governor of Adamawa State from Yola to Kaduna for a meeting of some governors.
“If I don’t belong to APC, I won’t be able to travel with him. I have not defected to any party.”
He said he had not been using official or diplomatic passport.Barata added: “I have never been using official or diplomatic passport because I want my passport to be rich. I prefer to be using my green passport.
“It is such a mischief. I have surrendered everything in my position. This is not my first time in the National Assembly.”
-
Nigerian pilgrims warned against illegal movement in Saudi Arabia
Nigerians on Holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, particularly women have been warned against illegal movement in Madina and Makkah.
Chairman of the Preachers Team from Kaduna State, Malam Mukaddas Zaria gave the warning in Madina while addressing pilgrims on their conduct in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night.
He said, report reaching officials had it that pilgrims, particularly female allow strange men, most of whom are illegal residents of Saudi to lead them around the two cities.
According to him; “in the name of going to install gold or silver plated teeth, some of our pilgrims follow strange men around. And when they get their unlawful men touch their bodies in the process of putting the golden teeth for them.
“Besides, installation of gold or silver plated teeth is mostly done to show people at home that you have gone for Hajj. Is it not better for you to perform Hajj without showing off? He queried.
He however advised that, henceforth, any female pilgrim who desires installation of gold or silver plated teeth should look for her state official guide, particularly those who understand Arabic Language to accompany her to the dental clinic.
“If you go on such journey alone, and you allow yourself to be molested by bad elements, you are as good as someone who deliberately commits sin in the Holy Land, those whom the Prophet had cursed. May Allah guide us against such,” he prayed.
He however urged the pilgrims in general to maximise their opportunity of being in the Holy Land by praising God and asking for forgiveness at all times.
According to him, pilgrims are not in the Holy Land for tourism; therefore, they must take advantage of their presence in Saudi Arabia to pray at the Prophet Mosque in Madina and Holy Kaaba in Makkah.
“The Prophet, may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, said whoever observes 40 prayers in his Mosque in Madina, he will ask for forgiveness for the person on the day of judgment,” Mukadas stressed.
-
Nigeria airlifts 18,909 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Saturday said it had airlifted 18,909 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2015 pilgrimage.
About 76,000 intending pilgrims from the 36 states and FCT are expected to participate in this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Director, Public Affairs of the commission, Alhaji Uba Mana, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the airlift had been hitch free since it began on Aug. 23.
He said the commission had so far recorded 49 flights of pilgrims mostly from Kaduna, Lagos, Sokoto, Katsina, Oyo, Lagos, Zamfara and Kogi.
The director also said most of the pilgrims were airlifted direct to Medina, where they were expected to spend seven days before proceeding to Mecca, while others were transported to Jedda.
“Buses are readily available at Jedda International Airport to transport pilgrims to Medina.
“Those airlifted to medina on Aug. 23, will move to Mecca on Aug. 29.’’
Mana said the airlift would be concluded on Sept. 15, adding, “ no pilgrim will be left behind.