The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has confirmed the death of two pilgrims from the state in Saudi Arabia during the 2016 Hajj.

The Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kano.

NAN recalls that the National Hajj Commission had announced that 18 Nigerians lost their lives during this year Hajj.

The initial casualty figure was 10.

Badamasi said the two male victims from Kano died after brief illness in Mina and Mecca respectively.

He said one of them hail from Kano Municipal Local Government Area, while the other came from Gaya Local Government Area.

Badamasi said the deceased had since been buried in accordance with the Islamic rites in Mecca.

He said the board had concluded arrangements to begin the transportation of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, from next week.

“This is expected to begin hopefully on Wednesday or Thursday next week according to the flight schedule,’’ he said.

NAN reports that no fewer than 5,808 pilgrims performed the 2016 Hajj from Kano state. (NAN)