Bauchi Road Tragedy Claims Second Cameraman as Governor Bala Mohammed Mourns Kabiru Ahmed Ilela
From Abdulwahab Muhammad SSA communicationPublished by Alphapressmedia
Bauchi State has been thrown into mourning following the death of another media professional, Kabiru Ahmed Ilela, a veteran cameraman with Bauchi State Television (BATV), who succumbed to injuries sustained in a recent ghastly road accident. He was 56 years old.Kabiru 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, after weeks of intensive medical care and surgery for severe neck injuries.Reacting to the sad development, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON, fnipr (Kauran Daular Usmaniyya), expressed profound sorrow over the loss, describing the late Kabiru as a committed and hardworking media professional who served the state with diligence and courage.The Governor noted that Kabiru’s dedication to duty, even under challenging circumstances, reflects the critical role journalists play in documenting government activities and keeping the public informed. He extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the management and staff of BATV, the Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the entire media community in the state.Governor Bala Mohammed prayed for Almighty Allah to grant the late Kabiru eternal rest and give his family, colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear the irreparable loss. He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and safety of journalists who work tirelessly in the service of the state and the nation.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 officially retired from the Bauchi State Government as a BATV staff member on February 18, 2026, while undergoing treatment in a hospital bed.The fatal accident that claimed his life occurred on Friday, February 6, 2026, along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The crash involved at least 13 journalists from various media organisations who were 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 for the commissioning and handover of completed projects to the Bauchi State Government. The delegation had earlier commissioned a Government Secondary School project in Yelwan Duguri before the accident occurred.Eyewitnesses said the crash happened when the driver conveying the journalists attempted to overtake a convoy, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and tumble several times.Kabiru Ahmed Ilela is the second media casualty from the tragic incident. A cameraman with Channels Television, Kani Ben, had earlier died on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Modular Theatre Complex at ATBUTH. He was 43 and is survived by his wife and two children.Kabiru and Kani were the most critically injured among the victims. They were initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit before Kabiru was later transferred to the Surgical Complex after undergoing surgery. Several other journalists sustained injuries ranging from head wounds and fractures to bruises but have since recovered and been discharged.The Deputy Chief Imam of Bauchi, Malam Ahmad Inuwa Na’ibi, led Kabiru’s funeral prayer at the Bauchi Central Mosque at 2:15 p.m., after which he was buried according to Islamic rites.
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