President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Saudi Arabia’s King, Salman to ensure a comprehensive and thorough investigations to identify flaws in Hajj organization with a view to avoiding a recurrence of the stampede that occurred in Mina on Thursday.
171 people died in the stampede, among them were Nigerians. President Buhari stated that the stampede, which claimed the lives of notable Nigerians, Journalist Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, Prof. Tijjani El-Miskin and others lost their lives was a monumental tragedy, not only for citizens of the countries involved, but for the global Islamic community.
A statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu stated that President Buhari stated that though no one can question God, it was still within the human measure to take steps to ensure that such tragedies be prevented.
The president however extended his sympathy to families of the bereaved and prayed God to accept the souls of the departed.
The statement reads in parts:
“The President extends sincerest condolences to the families of the over 700 pilgrims who lost their lives in this latest disaster in the Holy Places which occurred less than two weeks after a crane collapse in Mecca claimed more than a hundred lives.”
“He also commiserates with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists on the sad loss of Hajiya Bilkisu, an exemplary, dedicated, knowledgeable, very credible, highly-respected, outstanding editor and columnist who, even in death, will remain a glittering role model for Journalists, within and outside Nigeria.”
