Two Nigerian pilgrims, a 75-year-old woman from Edo State and a prominent Abia businessman, have died in Makkah during the ongoing 2025 Hajj pilgrimage

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]o fewer than two Nigerian pilgrims participating in the ongoing 2025 Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, have been confirmed dead.

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It has been gathered that the deceased are Adizatu Dazumi, a 75-year-old woman from Edo State, and Alhaji Saleh Galeh, a prominent Abia State businessman and Chairman of the Lokpanta Cattle Market. Both individuals reportedly passed away in separate incidents on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Alhaji Saleh Galeh’s death shocked many in his Muslim community and among fellow Nigerian pilgrims. Described as a respected community leader and businessman, a source close to the incident stated that “He answered the call of Allah peacefully while performing the sacred pilgrimage.”

Funeral prayers (Salatul Janaza) for the late Galeh were scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Haram Mosque in Makkah during the Zuhr (afternoon) prayer.

Muslim organizations, including the Islamic Calling Family in Imo State, offered their condolences, noting that the Muslim community, in collaboration with the National Hajj Commission and the Abia State contingent, was working to ensure a proper and dignified burial.

He answered the call of Allah peacefully while performing the sacred pilgrimage.

“One of the Abia State pilgrims has just answered the call of Allah. The Chairman of Lokpanta Cattle Market, Abia State, Saleh Galeh, passed last night, (Monday), here in Makkah,” the ICF’s condolence message read. “May Allah forgive his shortcomings and accept him in Jannatul Firdaus.”

In a separate incident, Adizatu Dazumi, the 75-year-old pilgrim from Jattu Uzairue in the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, died on Monday, May 26, 2025, after a brief illness.

Dazumi fell ill shortly after performing the Tawaaf (the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba) and was admitted to the King Fahad General Hospital in Makkah on Sunday. She passed away the following day.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Musah Uduimoh, stated, “She was buried in Makkah on the same day, according to Islamic tradition, and her family in Jattu Uzairue has been informed.”

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Uduimoh extended condolences to the bereaved family and assured other pilgrims of the board’s commitment to their welfare and safety throughout the pilgrimage.