36 Nigerians have now been confirmed as dead during this year's Muslim pilgrimage as a result of various mishaps, ranging from accidents to diabetes.

Giving a breakdown of the figures, an official Malam Uba Mana, the Public Relations Officer, National Hajj Commission told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday that Zamfara State topped the list with 10 pilgrims, while Sokoto followed with six.

He added that Borno lost three pilgrims, while Lagos, Katsina, Yobe and FCT (Abuja) lost two each. Uba said two pilgrims on international travel arrangements also died, while Plateau, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Kano and Ekiti lost one pilgrim each. The latest victims were knocked down by a vehicle in central area of Mecca.

A statement signed by the Zamfara State Director of Press to the governor, Adamu Sani Katuru, yesterday, said the government would do everything possible to assist the families of the dead pilgrims.