The Chief Justice of Kebbi State, Justice Abdulkadir Jega, has been confirmed to be among 717 different nationals that died in Thursday’s Jamra tragedy Saudi Arabia.

Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Alh Samaila Dabai Yombe, confirmed the death in an interview with our correspondent in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

“Yes, the CJ of Kebbi State, Justice Abdulkadir Jega has died as a result of the incident that occured while on our way from Muzdalifa to Jamra to perform the first ritual of stoning the Jamratul Akbar (the big Jamra) where we were caught up in the ‘sardine’ crowd of worshipers,” Alhaji Yombe said.

The deputy governor disclosed that the Amirul Hajj and Emir of Argungu, Alh Samaila Mera, Speaker of the State House of Assembly and his deputy, as well as Governor Atiku Bagudu’s family were among pilgrims who survived the incident.

Alhaji Yombe added that, apart from the CJ who was confirmed dead from bodies deposited at the mortuary, only two pilgrims from the state are yet to be accounted and, according to him, “are most likely to be among those who missed their way, and may later be found and accounted for.”

•Photo shows pilgrims casting stones at a pillar in Mina representing the devil.