A male Nigerian pilgrim, reportedly from Bauchi State, participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise, has died at Muzdalifah shortly after arriving from Arafat.
PrimeTimes Nigeria learnt that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, and the cause of death also remained unclear as officials had yet to release an official statement on the incident.
According to Daily Trust, Saudi security officials and emergency medical personnel immediately evacuated the deceased from the premises following the pilgrims’ overnight movement from Arafat to Muzdalifah.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to the aforementioned publication said the pilgrim was wheeled out by Saudi police officers alongside emergency medical team officials shortly after the incident occurred.
Two officials believed to be attached to the Bauchi State pilgrims’ contingent were also seen escorting the deceased during the evacuation.
Meanwhile, the identity of the pilgrim had yet to be officially confirmed by the relevant authorities.
In related news, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of the Bauchi State Government, Shehu Yahaya Jalam, recently died in Saudi Arabia.
Jalam died on Saturday after a brief illness in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, while participating in the 2026 Muslim pilgrimage.
Reacting, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, described the death of the top government official, who is also the Turakin Dawakin Misau Emirate Council of Bauchi, as a painful and irreparable loss.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Muhammad described the late Jalam as a loyal, dedicated and hardworking public servant, who gave his all for the development of Bauchi State.