BATV Cameraman Dies Weeks After Bauchi Crash Involving Journalists

Kabiru Ahmed Ilaleh, a cameraman with the Bauchi State Television Authority (BATV), has died from injuries he sustained in a road crash that involved journalists covering an official project event in Bauchi State.

Ilaleh, 56, died in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the New Surgical Complex of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.

Family sources said he is survived by his mother, two wives, seven children and other relatives.

He had been receiving treatment for severe neck injuries since the accident and was among the two most critically injured victims from the media team involved in the incident.

The other critically injured journalist, Channels Television cameraman Kani Ben, died earlier on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Intensive Care Unit of the Modular Theatre Complex at ATBUTH. He was 43 and is survived by his wife and two children.

Both men were first admitted to intensive care, while Ilaleh was later transferred to the surgical complex after undergoing surgery.

The accident occurred on Friday, February 6, 2026, along the Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

At least 13 journalists from different media organisations were reportedly involved in the crash while covering commissioning activities by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

The journalists were attached to an NEDC delegation led by the Minister of State for Regional Development for the handover of completed projects to the Bauchi State Government.

The team had earlier covered the commissioning of a Government Secondary School project in Yelwan Duguri before the crash happened.

Eyewitnesses said the vehicle conveying journalists attempted to overtake a convoy, veered off the road and somersaulted multiple times.

Several journalists sustained injuries, including head trauma, bruises and fractures. Hospital updates indicated that many of those injured have since recovered and were discharged.

Ilaleh remained in treatment until his death. Reports noted that he formally retired from Bauchi State Government service as a BATV staff member on February 18, 2026, while still on a hospital bed.

He also held the traditional title of Matawallen Uban Dawakin Bauchi.

Funeral rites were conducted in Bauchi according to Islamic tradition. The deputy Chief Imam of Bauchi, Malam Ahmad Inuwa Na’ibi, led the funeral prayer at the Bauchi Central Mosque at 2:15 p.m.

His death brings renewed concern over safety conditions for journalists assigned to official convoys and field movements in high-risk road corridors.

Media colleagues in the state said the losses of Ilaleh and Ben highlight the human cost of routine assignment travel and called for stricter transport safety planning during government and agency event coverage.