Another Journalist Succumbs to Injuries After Bauchi Road Accident

A cameraman associated with the Bauchi State Television Authority (BATV), Kabiru Ahmed Ilaleh, has died following serious neck injuries sustained in a devastating road accident.

The 56-year-old succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the New Surgical Complex of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi.

His funeral prayer was led by the deputy Chief Imam of Bauchi Central Mosque, Malam Ahmad Inuwa Na’ibi, at 2:15 PM on the same day.

Kabiru was one of 13 journalists from various media organizations who were involved in the crash while on assignment covering the commissioning of projects by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in the state.

The tragic incident occurred on Friday, February 6, 2026, on the Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road within Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. This happened just after the delegation, led by Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, the Minister of State for Regional Development, inaugurated and handed over a Government Secondary School (GSS) in Yelwan Duguri.

According to eyewitness reports, the driver of the vehicle carrying the journalists lost control while attempting to overtake a convoy, resulting in the vehicle veering off the road and rolling over multiple times, which hurled the occupants out of the vehicle.

The journalists sustained various injuries, including head injuries, bruises, and compound fractures.

Kabiru and a fellow cameraman from Channels Television, Kani Ben, were reported as having sustained the most severe injuries. They were initially placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before Kabiru was moved to the Surgical Complex post-surgery.

Tragically, Kani Ben also died on February 15, 2026, while in the ICU at the Modular Theatre Complex in ATBUTH, Bauchi.

Additionally, sources disclosed that Kabiru had officially retired from the Bauchi State Government as a BATV staff member on February 18, 2026, all while undergoing medical treatment in a hospital.

He leaves behind his mother, two wives, and seven children, along with other relatives. Kabiru was laid to rest on Sunday in accordance with Islamic customs.