The Emir of Zing and Amirul-hajj (leader of delegation), of Taraba State to this year's hajj, Alhaji Abbas Sambo and eight members of his family are among those killed in Thursday's deadly stampede.
Daily Trust learnt that about 100 Nigerians may have died in the stampede that occurred during the Jamarat (symbolic stoning of the devil) on the outskirts of Mina.
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According to multiple Nigerian official sources, the nation's death toll may be third after Pakistan and Iran that lost 236 and 134 pilgrims respectively to the incident.
Also confirmed dead was Chief Justice of Kebbi State and the presiding justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal Justice Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega.
Jega whose death was also confirmed by the Kebbi State deputy governor, Samaila Yombe, was also said to have lost a wife and son to the incident according family sources who told reporters of the tragic loss.
The late justice was a brother to the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega and also to the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Daily Trust Malam Mahmud Jega.
Saudi Arabia Health Minister Khalid Al-Falih said that the death toll has risen to 769 and the injured to 934.
Source: Daily Trust
