By Khalid Idris Doya
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has approved automatic employment for the eldest son of a cameraman with the Bauchi State Television Authority (BATV), Kabiru Ahmed Ilaleh, who died from injuries sustained in a recent road accident in the state while on official duty.
The governor also directed the immediate payment of all the deceased’s gratuity and approved a donation of N5 million to support the bereaved family.
Governor Mohammed offered this gesture on Thursday when he paid a condolence visit to the residence of the late cameraman. He described the deceased as a dedicated professional who served the state with commitment, noting that his sacrifice in the line of duty would not be forgotten.
He offered prayers for the repose of the deceased's soul and asked Almighty Allah to grant him Jannatul For Daisy and grant the family the strength to bear the loss.
While announcing the governor's intervention, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Shehu Usmanu Shehu, disclosed that the governor had directed the immediate employment of the deceased's eldest son, Mujahid Kabiru Ilaleh, who graduated from Sa'adu Zungur University, Bauchi, into the Bauchi State civil service to support the family.
He added that the governor also ordered the payment of all the late cameraman’s gratuity and other benefits, noting that he had already completed and submitted his retirement notice before his death.
According to the commissioner, the governor further approved the sum of N5 million for the family, while the two wives of the deceased will each receive N250,000 as immediate support pending the release of his gratuity.
Shehu explained that since the accident occurred, the state government had taken full responsibility for the treatment of the injured journalists, including regular visits, provision of medical support, and assignment of officials to monitor their treatment.
He noted that the governor extended similar support to the family of another cameraman, Kani Ben of Channels Television, who also died from injuries sustained in the same accident. The state government assisted his family by employing his wife and providing financial support to help them sustain their livelihood.
Speaking on behalf of the family of Late Kabiru, Salisu Abubakar Sadiq, the elder brother of the deceased, expressed appreciation to the governor for the support given to Kabiru and the other injured journalists while they were receiving treatment.
He said that all medical expenses incurred during Kabiru's hospitalisation were fully covered by the Bauchi State Government.
Recall that Kabiru Ahmed Ilaleh died at the age of 56 in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the New Surgical Complex of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
He is survived by his mother, two wives, seven children, and other relatives.
The late cameraman, who held the traditional title of Matawallen Uban Dawakin Bauchi, had been battling severe neck injuries since the accident.
Another cameraman involved in the same crash, Kani Ben of Channels Television, died earlier from injuries sustained in the incident. He passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Intensive Care Unit of the Modular Theatre Complex at ATBUTH, Bauchi. He was 43 years old and is survived by his wife and two children.
Kabiru and Kani were the two most critically injured victims of the crash. They were initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit before Kabiru 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 various media organisations were involved in the crash while covering the commissioning of projects by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
Kabiru officially retired from the Bauchi State civil service on February 18, 2026, while still receiving treatment in hospital.
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