Kani Ben, a cameraman with Channels Television in Bauchi, has died from injuries sustained in a road accident while covering the commissioning of North East Development Commission (NEDC) projects in the state.

The accident occurred on February 7 when a bus carrying a team of journalists lost control and overturned multiple times. Another Channels Television reporter, Hajara Aliyu, narrowly escaped the crash.

Reacting to the tragedy, the Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) described the incident as shocking.

In a statement signed by State Secretary Isah Garba Gadau, the union extended its deepest condolences to Ben’s family, the NUJ, and his colleagues.

“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, is deeply shocking,” the statement read. The council also announced the suspension of its planned congress meeting scheduled for February 16, pending further notice.

Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed, through his media aide, Mukhtar Gidado, expressed profound sorrow over Ben’s death. “Despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life, he sadly passed away in the early hours of today at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Teaching Hospital, Bauchi,” the statement read. The governor commended Ben’s dedication and courage and extended condolences to his family, Channels TV, and the media community.

Reports indicate that Ben is the only fatality from the crash, which involved journalists from African Independent Television (AIT), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and other members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, including David Adenuga of The Nation.

The Adamawa-born journalist reportedly sustained a spinal cord injury and underwent surgery while receiving intensive care at ATBUTH before passing away. He is survived by his wife and two children.

The crash occurred along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area shortly after the NEDC delegation, led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, and Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, handed over the Government Secondary School project in Yelwan Duguri.

The convoy was en route to commission the Bara Bridge connecting Bauchi and Gombe States when the accident occurred minutes after the ceremony.

The injured journalists were initially treated at Yelwan Duguri Hospital before being transferred to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital and Bauchi Specialist Hospital. (The Nation, excluding headline)