Plateau pilgrim dies in Makkah

A female pilgrim from Plateau State, Hajiya Jamila Muhammad, has died in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, while performing the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

The incident occurred on Monday, June 2, 2025, and was confirmed by the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in an official statement released to the press on Tuesday, June 3.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Daiyabu Dauda, the deceased developed severe complications linked to diabetes and was immediately rushed to King Abdulaziz Hospital in Mecca.

Despite medical intervention, she was confirmed dead by Saudi health authorities shortly after arrival.

The board disclosed that upon receiving reports of her deteriorating health, emergency instructions were issued to the Plateau State medical team accompanying the pilgrims.

The team acted promptly by transporting her to the nearest specialized health facility, but all efforts to stabilize her failed.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (From God we come and to Him we shall return).

“It is with a heavy heart and total submission to the will of Allah that we announce the passing of one of our female pilgrims, Hajiya Jamila Muhammad,” Alhaji Dauda stated.

He explained that the board followed all established medical procedures in line with instructions from the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims throughout the Hajj.

He further described the death as a major loss to the state and extended his deepest sympathies to her immediate family and the entire Muslim community in Plateau State.

Following Islamic funeral rites, Hajiya Jamila was buried in Mecca after a Janazah (funeral prayer) held at the Grand Mosque.

The solemn ceremony was attended by the Plateau State Amirul Hajj, senior officials of the pilgrims’ board, and her relatives.

The deceased was among hundreds of Plateau pilgrims who travelled to the Holy Land to perform the annual pilgrimage.

Her death has cast a shadow of mourning over the Nigerian contingent in Mecca, prompting state officials to increase health checks and offer additional counselling services to pilgrims at risk of chronic conditions.

The Executive Secretary urged all other pilgrims to maintain regular communication with medical officers and to promptly report any health complaints, no matter how minor, to avoid future tragedies.

He also praised the swift coordination between Nigerian officials and Saudi health workers in managing the emergency response.

This unfortunate incident has brought renewed attention to the importance of pre-Hajj medical screening and the need for chronic illness management during religious journeys.

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