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From Paul Orude, Bauchi
The Bauchi road accident involving journalists covering North East Development Commission (NEDC) projects has claimed a second life with the death of Kabiru Ahmed Ilaleh, a cameraman with the Bauchi State Television Authority (BATV).
Kabiru died in the early hours of Sunday, 1 March 2026, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where he had been receiving treatment for severe neck injuries sustained in the crash. He was 56.
Kabiru is survived by his mother, two wives, seven children and other relatives. He held the traditional title of Matawallen Uban Dawakin Bauchi and had been on admission since the incident about a month ago.
His death comes two weeks after another victim of the same accident, Kani Ben, a cameraman with Channels Television, passed away on 15 February 2026 at the ICU of ATBUTH. Kani, aged 43, is survived by his wife and two children.
Both men were among the most critically injured in the crash and were initially treated at the intensive care unit before Kabiru was later transferred to the surgical complex following surgery.
The accident occurred on Friday, 6 February 2026, along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
At least 13 journalists from various media organisations were involved while covering the commissioning of projects by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
The journalists were part of an NEDC delegation led by the Minister of State for Regional Development to commission and hand over completed projects to the Bauchi State Government.
The delegation had earlier commissioned a government secondary school in Yelwan Duguri before the crash.
Eyewitnesses said the accident happened when the vehicle conveying the journalists attempted to overtake a convoy, lost control, veered off the road and somersaulted several times.
While several journalists sustained injuries ranging from bruises to fractures and have since been discharged, Kabiru remained on admission until his death.
Notably, he officially retired from the Bauchi State Government on February 18 while still undergoing treatment in a hospital.
The funeral prayer was led by the Deputy Chief Imam of Bauchi, Malam Ahmad Inuwa Na’ibi, at the Bauchi Central Mosque, after which Kabiru was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
