Five pilgrims from Gombe State have been declared missing in Saudi Arabia.

FILE PHOTO: Intending Pilgrims from Gombe state

The Executive Secretary, Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Usman Gurama, told newsmen in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday that the pilgrims could not be located since Thursday.

He said members of the medical team had been checking hospitals and mortuaries searching for the pilgrims.

He however said that for now, it had not been confirmed as to whether they were among those who died as a result of Thursday’s stampede at the Jamaarat (stone throwing venue) where over 700 pilgrims died.

Mr. Gurama confirmed that seven pilgrims from the state were injured at the scene of the incident and were responding to treatment.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe on Saturday gave the state pilgrims Saudi Riyals 585,300 (about N32.7 million) as Sallah gift.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of pilgrims had 300 Saudi Riyals (N16, 800)

Addressing the pilgrims shortly after presenting the gift, Mr. 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, the State Amirul Hajj, Abdullahi Mai-Kano, thanked the governor for his commitment towards ensuring the success of the exercise.

He also commended the pilgrims for their cooperation, adding that investigations on the missing pilgrims were in progress.

(NAN)