A 73-year-old female pilgrim from Adamawa State has passed away in Saudi Arabia following a cardiac arrest, just days into the 2026 Hajj season.
Mallama Aishatu Muhammadu, a native of Gombi Local Government Area, died on Sunday while travelling from Jeddah to Madinah, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
In an official statement, NAHCON Chairman Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf confirmed that the cause of death was a fatal cardiac arrest. He said he had personally phoned the deceased’s brother, Umaru Jauro Koko, to convey the Federal Government’s condolences.
Ambassador Yusuf prayed that Allah grants Mallama Aishatu Aljannatul Firdaus and provides her family with the strength to bear the loss.
He assured relatives that the government would facilitate the return of her personal belongings, including her Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) and death certificate, through the Adamawa State Pilgrims Welfare Commission.
The deceased is survived by several children, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Among her offspring is Abdullahi Bello, Divisional Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ganye Division.
She is the first Nigerian pilgrim reported to have died during the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.