Bauchi convoy crash: BATV’s Kabiru Ilaleh dies days after Channels’ Kani Ben’s burial
The Bauchi media community has been thrown into fresh mourning following the death of a second cameraman involved in a recent road accident, days after the burial of Channels Television’s
The Bauchi media community has been thrown into fresh mourning following the death of a second cameraman involved in a recent road accident, days after the burial of Channels Television’s Kani Ben.
Kabiru Ahmed Ilaleh, 56, a cameraman with the Bauchi State Television Authority (BATV), died in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the New Surgical Complex of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi. He had been receiving treatment for three weeks after sustaining severe injuries in the crash.
His death followed that of Ben, who succumbed to injuries from the same accident on February 15, 2026. He was buried last Saturday in Kangling, Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Advertisement
300x250
The Nation reports that the accident occurred along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State on February 6, while journalists were covering the commissioning of projects by the North East Development Commission (NEDC). Thirteen journalists from various media organisations were involved.
The team was led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, and accompanied by Bauchi State Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau. The convoy was en route to commission the Bara Bridge linking Bauchi and Gombe states when the crash occurred.
Kabiru and Ben were the most critically injured. Both were initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, with Kabiru later undergoing surgery before being transferred to the Surgical Complex, where he remained until his death. Other journalists who sustained head injuries, bruises, and fractures have since been treated and discharged.
The affected reporters represented several media organisations, including Channels Television, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), African Independent Television (AIT), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Arise News, among others. They were part of a media delegation covering the inspection and commissioning activities of the NEDC.
Kabiru is survived by his mother, two wives, seven children, and extended family members. He also held the traditional title of Matawallen Uban Dawakin Bauchi. Notably, he formally retired from the Bauchi State Government as a BATV staff member on February 18, 2026, while still hospitalised.
Advertisement
300x250
His funeral prayer was led by the Deputy Chief Imam of Bauchi, Malam Ahmad Inuwa Na’ibi, at the Bauchi Central Mosque at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, after which he was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Reacting to the development, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over Kabiru’s death. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the governor described the late cameraman as a dedicated and hardworking professional who served the state with commitment.
He extended condolences to the bereaved family, the management and staff of BATV, the Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the broader media community.
The governor also prayed for the repose of the deceased and fortitude for his family and colleagues, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare and safety of journalists in the state.
