The Permanent Secretary for Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Shehu Yahaya Jalam, has died in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise.
Jalam reportedly passed away in the early hours of Sunday, May 17, 2026, after a brief illness while participating in the pilgrimage.
He was part of the official delegation from Bauchi State attending this year’s Hajj before falling ill.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado.
According to the statement, the late permanent secretary was a respected public servant who made notable contributions to government operations in the state, particularly in coordinating Hajj-related activities and other administrative assignments.
“He was a dedicated, loyal, and hardworking public servant who devoted his life and energy to the service of Bauchi State,” the statement read.
The government described his death as a significant loss not only to his immediate family and colleagues but also to the entire state civil service.
Funeral prayers for the deceased were reportedly held on Sunday after the Zuhr prayer at the Holy Mosque in Makkah.
Governor Bala Mohammed extended condolences to the family of the deceased, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Civil Service, as well as the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils.
He prayed for the forgiveness of the late official’s shortcomings and asked for divine mercy, while urging his family and associates to find strength in the loss.
