Mecca — A Nigerian pilgrim from Kaduna State, 55 year old Hajiya Maryam Abdullahi has suffered a stroke in Saudi Arabia. The attack came while she was performing this year's hajj, the Director of Operations of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Yahuza S. Makarfi has confirmed. Speaking with our correspondent, he said she had been taken to the King Fahd Hospital for medication and was responding to treatment.

"We are going to do everything possible to ensure that she gets the best treatment. She has started responding to treatment, in fact, she has started talking and eating unlike when she first suffered the stroke," he said. He added that an ambulance had been provided to convey anyone who becomes ill to the clinic or hospital, depending the seriousness of the case. Yahuza added that communication gadgets had been given to key officials of the board for rapid response to any emergency situation. Speaking further on Hajiya Maryam's condition, a member of the state medical team, Dr. Badiya Musa Bello said her medical record showed that she was hypertensive and diabetic before coming for the hajj. According to Dr. Badiya, her condition was triggered by the tension and pressure. She said the stroke was a partial one. She said over 200 female pilgrims from Kaduna State had so far visited the clinic for various ailments ranging from hypertension, fever, headache, malaria and cold.