2027 Hajj: Bauchi Hajj official dies in Saudi Arabia
From Sule Aliyu Bauchi
Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government and Chairman of the Information and Publicity Committee for the 2026 Hajj Operation, has died in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Shehu Yahaya Jalam passed away at 2:00 a.m. Saudi Arabian time, 12:00 a.m. Nigerian time, Sunday, May 17th, 2026, at Al-Noor Hospital, Makkah, following a brief illness.
Announcing his death, Imam Abdurrahman Ibrahim Idris, Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, described the loss as a major blow to the Bauchi State Government and the 2026 Hajj contingent.
“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. With total submission to the will of Allah (SWT), we announce the passing of Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam,” Imam Idris said in a statement.
He extended condolences to the deceased’s family and to all relevant bodies involved in the Hajj operation.
Prayers were offered for the repose of his soul, with officials asking Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.
They also prayed for strength and fortitude for his family, colleagues, and the entire 2026 Hajj Operation team.
Shehu Yahaya Jalam was in Makkah as part of the Bauchi State delegation overseeing the welfare and information needs of the state’s pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, has expressed sadness over the death of Shehu Yahaya Jalam, a Permanent Secretary in the State civil Service.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, made available to Journalists on Sunday.
He wrote that, “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 (SSG), Bauchi , who passed away in the early hours of today 17th May , 2026 in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after a brief illness while participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise.”
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.
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.
The funeral prayer for the deceased will be conducted later on Sunday after Zuhur prayer at the Holy Mosque of the Ka’aba in Makkah.
Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, on behalf of the Government and good people of Bauchi State, extends heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the Offices of the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of Civil Service , Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils , friends, associates, and all those affected by this painful loss.
The Governor prayed that the Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family the strength and fortitude to bear this great loss
