Kani Ben, a cameraman with Channels Television, has died after ten days in the Intensive Care Unit of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
Mr. Ben was one of the 13 journalists involved in a road accident while covering a North-East Development Commission (NEDC) assignment in the state.
The Bauchi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) announced his death on Sunday in a statement signed by Council Secretary Isah Gadau.
The statement reads, “The Bauchi State Council of the NUJ has received with huge shock the death of our colleague, Kani Ben of Channels Television, who was one of the victims in the recent accident involving 13 journalists while covering an NEDC assignment in Bauchi.”
The union expressed its condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the NUJ family and associates.
It also announced the suspension of its planned congress scheduled for 16 February until further notice.
The accident occurred on Friday, 6 February, along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The journalists were covering the commissioning and handover of a government secondary school by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu.
Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle conveying the journalists attempted to overtake a convoy, veered off the road and somersaulted, throwing the occupants out.
Ben, who was seated in the front, sustained spinal cord injuries and underwent surgery a day after the crash.
Despite medical treatment, he died in the early hours of Sunday at the Modular Theatre Complex of ATBUTH.
Other journalists involved sustained head injuries, bruises and fractures.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed expressed sorrow over Ben’s death.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, the governor said, “Mr. Kani Ben was among journalists covering the commissioning of projects executed by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) in Bauchi alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development when the unfortunate accident occurred. Despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life, he sadly passed away in the early hours of today (Sunday) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.”
The governor described Ben’s death as painful and noted that he died in active service.
“The Government of Bauchi State stands in solidarity with the media community at this difficult time and reassures all of its continued respect and support for journalists who risk their lives daily in the course of their duties,” he added.
Mohammed extended condolences to Ben’s family, Channels Television, the NUJ and the media community, and prayed for strength and fortitude for those affected.
Kani Ben is survived by his wife and two children.
