TheCable

Gombe state has declared five of its pilgrims missing in Saudi Arabia, while seven of them sustained injuries during the stampede that led to the loss of 717 lives.

Usman Gurama, executive secretary of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, told journalists in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, that the pilgrims have not been located since Thursday.

He said members of the medical team had been checking hospitals and mortuaries with a view to locating them or their remains.

Gurama said it had not been confirmed if they were among those who died in the stampede but said the injured pilgrims were responding to treatment.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Dankwambo, governor of the state, has given the state pilgrims about N32.7 million as Sallah gift.

Addressing the pilgrims shortly after presenting the gift on Saturday, Dankwambo urged them to pray for President Muhammad Buhari to enable him deliver the dividends of democracy.

He commended the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Amirul Hajj team for doing a good job.

In his remarks, Abdullahi Mai-Kano, the state Amirul Hajj, thanked the governor for his commitment towards ensuring the success of the exercise.

He also commended the pilgrims for their cooperation, adding that efforts were being made to know exactly what happened in the case of those missing.