The Nigeria Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS), on Monday, called on the Saudi Arabian authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the Munnah stampede which claimed the lives of 145 Nigerian pilgrims.

It also urged Riyadh to further strengthen the mechanisms involved in the Hajj operations to prevent re occurrence of the unfortunate incident.

NATAIS made the call in a statement signed by its Assistant General Secretary (Publicity),Dr. Moshood Mahmood Jimba, a copy of which was made available to the Daily Times in Ilorin, on Monday.

The union commiserated with the federal government and the entire Muslim community in Nigeria on the death of many Nigerian Muslims during the stampede.

"We regret, in particular, the death of Professor Tijjani El-Miskeen, who was a prominent member of NATAIS and immediate past Director of Arabic Language Village in Nigeria, Borno State. We pray the Almighty Allah to grant all the departed souls Jannat Al-fridaos and give their families and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss," he body said.