Alhaja Ramota Bankole, a prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, passed away in Saudi Arabia after completing the Hajj rites.
Bankole was reported to be among the pilgrims who succumbed to the extreme heat in Makkah during the 2024 Hajj.
She hailed from Epe in Lagos State and previously served as the welfare secretary of the Lagos APC.
Her death was confirmed on Thursday by the chairmen of the Epe Local Government, Eredo, and Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
According to local officials, the death of the Lagos APC chieftain, who had celebrated her 60th birthday just last month, came as a shocking blow.
Epe Local Government Chairman, Surah Animashaun, stated that Bankole had been in good health before departing for the pilgrimage.
In the statement, Animashaun said, “It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I received the news of Alhaja Ramota Bankole’s passing.
“It is truly a sad day as we learned she died in the holy city of Mecca during her pilgrimage.
“I extend my condolences to the Bankole family, APC members, and the entire Epe community on the unfortunate loss of our dear Sister and Mummy.”
A report by AFP on Wednesday revealed that at least 550 pilgrims from Islamic countries died due to the extreme heat during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Reports indicate that 323 of the deceased were Egyptian citizens.
During this year’s Hajj, air temperatures in Mecca soared to nearly 52 degrees Celsius. However, a separate report by NewsNow stated that over 1,400 people are missing or presumed dead due to the intense heat during this year’s pilgrimage.
On June 16, Reuters reported that 14 pilgrims from Jordan were killed and 17 others went missing in Saudi Arabia.
Deaths during the Hajj are often attributed to extreme heat or overcrowding. According to the news agency, there are more than 1.8 million pilgrims in Mecca.
Additionally, on Tuesday, Pir Hossein Kolivand, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, announced the death of at least 11 Iranian pilgrims.
Various Pilgrims Boards in Nigeria have also reported the deaths of Nigerian pilgrims during the recently concluded Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
P.M News
