Niger State government has confirmed that two of its officials died in last Thursday’s stampede that led to the death 717 victims in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The two are state Deputy Amirul Hajj, Abubakar Isa and Accountant General, Shehu Kontagora
The Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Commission also confirmed in Minna that at least 10 pilgrims from the state who went to Mecca are still missing.
A staff of the commission, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the government had exercised caution in announcing details of victims from the state owing to optimism that the missing persons will be found if search is intensified.
The source explained that the ongoing search for pilgrim had led to the confirmation of the Accountant General and the Deputy Amirul Hajj’s death.
Meanwhile, sources inside the Government House said that the Niger State Acting Governor, Mohammed Ketso, has paid visits to the families of the deceased to commiserate with them.
It was gathered that Islamic prayers and final burial rites were held for the late Deputy Amirul Hajj in Bida town on Monday with members of his family friends and relations present.
May Allah rest their souls and those of others, who, through this unfortunate circumstance, made the supreme sacrifice in the course of their observing this holy excercise.