Alhaji Laminu Rabi'u, the Executive Secretary of Kano State Pilgrims' Welfare Board, yesterday said four pilgrims from the state lost their lives while performing the 2012 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Rabi'u, who disclosed this in Kano in an interview with newsmen, said "We lost four of our pilgrims during this year's hajj operation, two died in Mecca while the other two died in Medina."

A total of 7,025 pilgrims from Kano state performed this year's hajj.

He said a 60 year-old woman, who hailed from Doguwa Local Government Area, was also missing in the holy land during the hajj exercise.

"One woman, Hauwa Malam Abdullahi, was declared missing in the holy land and up to now she has not been traced. The Saudi Arabian authorities and the Nigerian Embassy have been notified of the problem before our departure to Nigeria", he said.

Rabi'u, who attributed the success recorded during the hajj to massive enlightenment campaign conducted by the board, also commended Kabo, Max and Meridian Airlines for their cooperation during the operation.

NAN