The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Dr. Ibrahim Kana has disclosed that the number of Nigerian pilgrims who have died while performing the 2019 Hajj in Saudi Arabia has risen to nine.

Kana disclosed this in Muna on Monday while briefing journalists on the activities of the medical team of NAHCON regarding the pilgrims. He said the latest pilgrim to die was a female identified as Alhaja Folashade Lawal from Lagos State.

“The deceased, a Lagos State pilgrim collapsed at Jamrat and was brought to the hospital in Muna but died. She was hypertensive.”

He said that the late Lawal hailed from Oshodi Local Government Area of the state, noting that she slumped at 3.00 am while heading to Jamrat to throw stones at the devil, one of the most important Islamic rites during hajj.

The pilgrims, who would spend three days to accomplish religious rites in Muna were expected to move to the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Tuesday to complete the remaining rites.