The media community in Bauchi State, North-East Nigeria is once again in mourning following the death of veteran cameraman, Kabiru Ahmed Ilaleh, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a fatal road accident while on official assignment.
Kabiru, 56, was a camera operative with the Bauchi State Television Authority, BATV. He died in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the New Surgical Complex of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, where he had been receiving treatment for severe neck injuries since the crash.
Kabiru’s death comes just two weeks after another camera operative, Kani Ben of Channels Television, died from injuries sustained in the same accident. Kani, 43, passed away on February 15, 2026, at the Intensive Care Unit of ATBUTH, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Both journalists were among the most critically injured when the accident occurred on February 6, 2026, along the Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
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The crash involved at least 13 journalists who were covering project commissioning activities of the North East Development Commission, NEDC.
While several journalists sustained varying degrees of injuries and have since been discharged, Kabiru and Kani remained hospitalised in critical conditions until their deaths.
In a heartbreaking twist, Kabiru officially retired from the services of the Bauchi State Government on February 18, 2026, while still receiving treatment in hospital.
His funeral prayer was led by the Deputy Chief Imam of Bauchi at the Bauchi Central Mosque, after which he was laid to rest according to Islamic rites.
He is survived by his aged mother, two wives, seven children, and many relatives.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
