According to a news report from the Nigerian Tribune, the Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Board announced on Sunday that an investigation by Saudi Arabian authorities revealed that one of its pilgrims committed suicide in Madina.

In a press release signed by the Executive Secretary of the board, Abdulsalam AbdulKabir, it was also disclosed that another pilgrim from the state had died in Madina. The report stated that Hajia Hawawu died as a result of "an unfortunate suicidal episode from the rooftop of her apartment in Madina."

Additionally, the release mentioned that another pilgrim, Saliu Mohammed, passed away in the intensive care unit of a public hospital in Madina after suddenly falling ill.

The board expressed deep regret over the loss of the two pilgrims, referring to the incidents as "sad events." It emphasised their submission to the decree and ultimate knowledge of Allah in all affairs. The board extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for Allah's comfort and forgiveness for the departed souls.

“Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Board sends heartfelt commiserations to the families of two of our pilgrims who returned to their Lord in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

“Saliu Mohammed, who arrived with Batch 3 of the state contingent, died in an intensive care unit of a public hospital in Madina after suddenly falling ill; while Hajia Hawawu Mohammed (Batch 9) also died following what Saudi authorities have investigated and found to be an unfortunate suicidal episode from the rooftop of her apartment in Madina.

“The pilgrims’ board deeply regrets these sad events but submits totally to the decree and ultimate knowledge of Allaah in all affairs.

“The board sends profound condolences to their families and asks Allaah to grant them comfort and forgive the deceased,” the release reads.

The death of the two Kwara pilgrims brought the number of Nigerian pilgrims who had died in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of this year’s Hajj, which commences on Friday this week.

Two pilgrims from Kebbi State, Hajiya Tawalkatu Busare Alako, popularly known as Maman Biyu, was the first to die on May 25 in Makkah a few days after arriving at the holy city from Madina, while barely 24 hours after Alhaji Muhammad Suleman died in Makkah.

A Lagos State pilgrim, 68-year-old Oloshogbo Isiaka Idris, died on Tuesday, May 28 also in Makkah, after returning from the Grand Mosque, where he went to perform tawaf (circumambulation) as part of Umrah (lesser Hajj).