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, while participating in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Jalam passed away in the early hours of Sunday after a brief illness.

The deceased, who bore the traditional title of Turakin Dawakin Misau, was among the Bauchi State contingent that travelled to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise when he took ill and died.

The state government, in a statement signed by Governor Bala Mohammed’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado on Sunday, confirmed the incident and described the news as a moment of deep sorrow for the state.

“The Government and people of Bauchi State have received with deep sorrow the news of the death of Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam (Turakin Dawakin Misau), the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Bauchi, who passed away in the early hours of today in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after a brief illness while participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise,” the statement said.

Gidado described the deceased as a committed public servant who gave his career to the service of the state.

“Until his death, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam was a dedicated, loyal, and hardworking public servant who devoted his life and energy to the service of Bauchi State.

“He played significant roles in the successful coordination of previous Hajj operations and other government assignments entrusted to him,” he said.

The spokesman said the loss was felt beyond the walls of government.

“His passing is a great loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the entire Bauchi State Government and the wider community who benefited from his commitment, humility, and sense of duty,” Gidado said.

The funeral prayer for the deceased was conducted on Sunday after the Zuhr prayer at the Holy Mosque of the Ka’aba in Makkah.

Mohammed, on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State, condoled with the deceased’s immediate family, the offices of the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of Civil Service, the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils, friends, and associates.

The governor prayed that God would forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family the strength and fortitude to bear the loss. (Sunday PUNCH, excluding headline)

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