A top official of the Bauchi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam, has died at Al-Noor Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, following a brief illness.
He was the Chairman of the Information and Publicity Committee for the 2026 Hajj Operation and also a Permanent Secretary in the office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government.
The Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board announced the death on Sunday morning. The late official played a key role in coordinating accommodation and feeding arrangements for Bauchi State pilgrims during the ongoing Hajj exercise.
He reportedly died on Saturday night after a brief illness, having ushered all the pilgrims and officials on the 5th flight who had arrived in Makkah from Madina the previous night.
A former director of operations of the board and one of the state coordinators for 2026 Hajj, Alhaji Sabiu Barau Ningi, confirmed Jalam’s passing. He said the deceased first complained of feeling unwell shortly after arriving from Medina and had visited a clinic there where he was treated and discharged.
“He followed the advance team even before the arrival of Bauchi pilgrims in Mecca. They worked tirelessly until the arrival of the last batch of pilgrims,” Ningi said.
According to Ningi, the deceased’s condition later worsened and he was moved to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Mecca, where he eventually passed away on Saturday night at 2:00 a.m. Saudi time.
The coordinator said the Executive Secretary of the board had already informed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, and necessary arrangements were being made for his funeral at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The likely cause of death was a heart-related complication, as the deceased had been managing high blood pressure.
Ningi described the late Shehu Jalam as one of the most dedicated officials in the service of Bauchi pilgrims, praising his commitment, courage, and selflessness. He extended condolences to the Bauchi State Governor, the family of the deceased, and the people of Bauchi State. He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him Jannatul Firdaus.
