26th September, 2015
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, has commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in a stampede at this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
NAN reports that 747 pilgrims died and 804 others were injured in the stampede.
A statement issued by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the governor’s media aide and made available to newsmen on Friday in Osogbo, described the incident as `unfortunate.’
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the states whose indigenes are affected.
“Our sympathy also goes to the families of the affected pilgrims.
“We also commiserate with the entire Muslim Ummah across the world and pray that Allah give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.”
“The government and the entire people of Osun pray that Allah repose the souls of the dead in Aljana Firdaus.
“From God we come to Him shall we return,” the statement said.
It added that the government had established contact with Osun delegation in Saudi Arabia, which confirmed that no pilgrim from the state was among those who lost their lives.
The statement urged the families of pilgrims from the state to be calm and assured them that their loved ones in the Holy Land were alive and in good condition.