Hajj stampede: Sokoto confirms death of 9 pilgrims

Sokoto State Government has announced that nine pilgrims from the state were among those who lost the lives in the stampede that occurred on ‎Wednesday in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

In a statement in Sokoto on Saturday, the government said that its officials, led by the Amirul Hajj and leader of its delegation, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, who was still in Saudi Arabia, confirmed the tragedy.

It said that the team was still working round-the-clock to identify many of the pilgrims from the state who were injured in the incident.

According to the statement signed by Imam Imam, Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Media and Public Affairs, the injured are receiving treatment ‎in different hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

”At this moment of grief and sober reflection, the state government urges all citizens to remain calm and intensify prayers as we await further confirmation from authorities concerned.

” May God bless the souls of those who died and may His healing ‎be visited upon all the injured. May God console us all,” the statement said.