The number of Nigerian pilgrims that died while performing the 2019 Hajj in Saudi Arabia has risen to nine, the chairman, medical team of the National Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ibrahim Kana, has announced.

Mr Kana made the announcement in Muna while briefing journalists on the activities of the medical team of NAHCON for the pilgrims.

He said the latest deceased pilgrim, from Lagos State, collapsed at Jamrat and brought to the hospital in Muna but died, she was hypertensive.

Speaking with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Muna on the issue earlier, the Lagos state Amir Hajj, AbdulLateef Abdulkarim, identified the deceased as Folashade Lawal.

He said the late Mrs Lawal hailed from Oshodi Local Government Area of the state, noting that she slumped at 3 a m while heading to Jamrat to throw stone at the devil.

Throwing stone at the three devils is one of the Islamic rites towards acceptable hajj.

The chairman of the team said that the commission opened 21 field offices in Muna with adequate drugs and ambulances.

Mr Kana, who said well trained medical personnel were on ground to attend to pilgrims.

He identified cough and hypertension as some of the health challenges presented by patients.

Meanwhile, Nigerian pilgrims had begun aggressive buying and selling after Arafat and Eid-el- Kabir.

NAN correspondent, who visited Nigerian camp in Muna reports that many pilgrims, mostly women, were seen buying women wears and other gift items, they claimed were meant for their families and friends at home.

Others, however, devoted their time to accomplishing the remaining rites such as stone throw at the three devils and special prayer.

Pilgrims who spent three days to accomplish religious rites in Muna were expected to move to the Grand Mosque, Makkah on Tuesday to complete the remaining rites to ensure an acceptable hajj.

According to sources from NAHCON, Aug. 17 has been fixed as the kick-off for the flight of Nigerian pilgrims back home.(NAN)