By The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has confirmed the death of a Channels Television cameraman, Kani Ben, days after he was involved in a road accident while on official duty.
Mr Ben passed away after spending ten days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi. The accident occurred while he and other journalists were covering the commissioning and handover of a government secondary school by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu. The project was executed by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Isah Gadau, the Bauchi State Council of the NUJ expressed shock and deep sorrow over the incident.
“The Bauchi State Council of the NUJ has received with huge shock the death of our colleague, Kani Ben of Channels Television, who was among the victims of the recent accident involving 13 journalists while covering an NEDC assignment in Bauchi,” the statement read.
The union extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, the NUJ community, as well as his colleagues and associates. It also announced the suspension of its congress scheduled for February 16 until further notice in honour of the late cameraman.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle conveying the journalists reportedly attempted to overtake a convoy before losing control, veering off the road and overturning multiple times. Several occupants were injured in the crash.
Mr Ben, who was seated in the front, sustained severe spinal injuries and underwent surgery a day after the accident. He remained in critical condition at the hospital before succumbing to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday.
Other journalists involved in the accident sustained varying degrees of injuries, including head trauma, fractures, and bruises, and received treatment at medical facilities within the state.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, also mourned the late cameraman, describing his death as a painful loss to the media profession and the state.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the governor noted that Mr Ben died in active service while carrying out his professional duties.
“Despite the efforts of medical personnel to save his life, he sadly passed away at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital,” the statement added.
The tragic incident has drawn widespread sympathy from the media community, highlighting the risks journalists often face in the line of duty.
