Nigeria's death toll in Mecca stampede hits 56

 56 Nigerian pilgrims are reported to have died in the Hajj stampede last week.About 77 others were injured and many still missing. The figures were released last night  at a news conference in Makkah  by the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mukhtar.Chief Imam of the Sul­tan Abubakar III Jumaa’at Mosque, Sokoto, was among those killed in the stamped.

The im­mediate Caretaker Chairman of Illela Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Bello Gidan-Hamma, his mother, step-mother and two wives in the stampede.

According to the NAHCON chief,most of the victims and the injured came from the North.He said

“42 pilgrims under the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards have been confirmed dead alongside two officials from NAHCON. Also, 12 pilgrims who came in through tour operators  died in the stampede too.I think 61 state pilgrims welfare boards and 16 from tour operators (Private Hajj Operators) got injured in the stampede. We will update you as the information comes.”

On the missing pilgrims, he said:”We cannot give you the full figure until the ongoing head count is concluded.”