A Nigerian pilgrim from Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Mallama Aishatu Muhammadu, has died in Saudi Arabia during the ongoing 2026 Hajj.

The 73-year-old suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on Sunday while travelling from Jeddah to Madinah, according to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf.

In a statement, Yusuf said he had conveyed the federal government’s condolences to the family of the deceased in a phone call to her brother, Umaru Jauro Koko.

He prayed that Allah grant her Aljannatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The NAHCON chairman assured the family of government support to ensure the safe return of her personal effects, including her Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) and death certificate, through the Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Commission.

Mallama Aishatu is survived by several children, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, including Abdullahi Bello, a Divisional Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ganye Division.

She is the first Nigerian pilgrim reported to have died in Saudi Arabia during this year’s Hajj.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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