A 70-year-old Nigerian pilgrim from Nasarawa State, Rukayya Haliru, has died in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the ongoing 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
The death was confirmed by the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board on Wednesday.
Speaking with journalists in Makkah, the Executive Secretary of the board, Idris Ahmad Almakura, disclosed that the deceased was from Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and had reportedly fallen ill before her passing.
According to Almakura, medical personnel attached to the Nigerian pilgrims’ contingent attended to her immediately after she complained of illness, but efforts to stabilise her were unsuccessful.
“She complained of illness and despite medical efforts, she drew her last breath this morning,” he stated.
Officials of the pilgrims’ board, alongside family members of the deceased, were said to have supervised the funeral arrangements in accordance with Islamic rites.
Her remains were subsequently moved to the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the Janazah prayer, attended by relatives, board officials, and fellow Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
The board also advised other pilgrims to pay close attention to their health during the Hajj exercise and promptly report any symptoms of illness to medical teams for urgent care.
Almakura extended condolences to the Nasarawa State Government, the deceased’s family, and members of the pilgrims’ welfare board.
A relative of the deceased, Abdulwab Aboki, expressed appreciation to the board for its support and assistance throughout the burial arrangements.
