First batch of 528 Gombe pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia

NAN-H-14
Pilgrims
Gombe, Oct 1,2015 (NAN)The first batch of 528
pilgrims from Gombe State on Thursday returned
from Saudi Arabia, through Max Airline, reports the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Confirming the safe return of the batch to newsmen in
a telephone interview, the Executive Secretary of the
State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Usman
Gurama, said that 530 pilgrims were supposed to be
in the batch, but that two pilgrims could not be
traced.
Gurama said the two pilgrims were among the five
earlier declared missing after the Hajj tragedy in Mina
at the Jamrat stone throwing venue.
He said that pilgrims for the second flight had started
preparing to leave, adding that other flights would
also follow according to the schedule.
Over 1943 pilgrims from Gombe State performed this
year’s pilgrimage from the state, out of which four
female pilgrims died as a result of the collapse of the
crane in Mecca, while five others were declared
missing after the Mina stampede. source (NAN)