The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has confirmed the death of six Nigerian pilgrims participating in the ongoing Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Announcing this on Saturday, head of NAHCON Hajj medical team, Usman Galadima, said that 30 patients equally have mental health challenges

Dr Galadima said two of the deceased pilgrims were from Osun state and one each from Plateau and Kaduna states.

He could not confirm the states of the two other deceased pilgrims before leaving the venue of the briefing on Saturday night.

He said one of them died of cardiac arrest; and others, of illnesses he did not disclose.

Galadima noted that the mental health challenged persons are receiving treatment and are expected to perform Hajj.

His words: “There are 30 of them with mental health challenges.

“We have been managing them in our facilities. We have about four psychiatrists on the team.

“We have been managing them and all of them would likely perform hajj because they are a bit stable now.”

He said seven pregnancies were recorded among the pilgrims; two from Sokoto State and one each from Adamawa, Kwara, Yobe, Plateau and Katsina.

Galadima also disclosed that two miscarriages were recorded; while a diabetic pilgrim had his leg amputated.