Hussaini Ibrahim 
BAUCHI, Nigeria – Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed grief over the death of senior government official Shehu Yahaya Jalam during the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Jalam, who served as Permanent Secretary for Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday in Makkah after a brief illness.
The death occurred amid the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise, which has drawn thousands of Nigerian pilgrims to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
In a Sunday statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Mohammed described the late official as a dedicated and hardworking public servant. Bauchi Governor Mourns Top Official Who Dies During 2026 Hajj
According to the statement, Jalam contributed significantly to the development of Bauchi State through several strategic government assignments and Hajj coordination responsibilities.
The governor described the loss as painful for the state government, the civil service and the deceased’s family.
“He was a committed public servant who served the state with dedication and integrity,” the statement said.
Mohammed extended condolences to the family of the deceased, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils.
The statement added that funeral prayers for the late permanent secretary were scheduled to be held after the Zuhur prayer at the Holy Mosque of the Ka’aba in Makkah.
The governor also prayed for Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
The incident has triggered condolences from officials and associates involved in the ongoing Hajj operations.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Oluwatobi Adu 