Two intending pilgrims from Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State identified as Yakubu Abdulsamad and Haruna Suleiman are reported dead.
They died on Sunday and Monday respectively before their departure to Saudi Arabia for the holy pilgrimage.
The Pilgrim Officer, PO, of the Local Government, Aminu Surajo who announced their death said, both have since been buried according to Islamic rites.
He said the deceased pilgrims would have been among the 1st batch to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe had also charged the 1st batch of the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state and the country in general while in the holy land.
She made the call at the farewell visit to the intending pilgrims before their airlift at the Mando Hajj transit camp yesterday.
According to her, “I first want to say Alhamdulillah for this opportunity that Allah has given us to see the airlift of the 1st batch of Kaduna pilgrims that will be leaving for the holy land.
“I have come to bid them farewell and I pray that Allah in His mercies will take them to Saudi Arabia safely, and when they are done with their hajj rights, that Allah in His mercy will bring them back safely”.
“Our message to them is that want them to be good ambassadors of not only Kaduna state, but Nigeria as a whole, they should conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of emulation by every pilgrim that will be at the holy land” she added.
The Deputy Governor urged them to make out time to pray for Kaduna state and pray for leaders with the hope that Allah would accept our prayers.
Radio Nigeria reports that about 2,491 Kaduna pilgrims are expected to perform this year’s hajj exercise.
FATIMA UMAR