Veteran journalist was covering NEDC projects with minister when vehicle crashed; NUJ, Governor Bala Mohammed mourn 'dedicated' media professional
The Nigerian media community is mourning the loss of Kani Ben, a veteran cameraman with Channels Television, who died Sunday morning—nine days after a motor accident cut short what colleagues describe as a career defined by quiet dedication and professional excellence.
Ben was among journalists assigned to cover the commissioning and handover of projects executed by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) in Bauchi, alongside the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari, when the vehicle he was travelling in crashed. He had fought for his life at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) since the February 6 incident, but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday.
'He Gave Everything to His Duty'
Umar Said, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, announced the death with visible emotion, describing Ben as a professional who embodied the sacrifices journalists make daily to inform the public.
"Mr Ben was a dedicated cameraman with Channels Television who passed away following injuries sustained in a motor accident while on official assignment in Bauchi," Said told journalists.
The union leader's words carried the weight of a profession that too often buries its own—cameramen who crouch in dangerous places, reporters who travel treacherous roads, editors who work through nights so the public can wake up informed.
Governor Mourns 'Heartbreaking' Loss
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed issued a statement Sunday expressing profound grief at Ben's passing. His office described the death as "painful and heartbreaking," noting that despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the cameraman could not be saved.
The governor recalled that Ben died in active service, committed to his professional duty of keeping Nigerians informed until his final moments. He commended the deceased's "dedication, courage and sense of responsibility," qualities he said were evident throughout the cameraman's career.
Mohammed extended condolences to Ben's immediate family, the management and staff of Channels Television, the NUJ, and the entire media community.
"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," the governor stated.
A Profession That Counts Its Dead
Ben's death brings into sharp focus the risks journalists face even in routine assignments. While war correspondents and conflict zone reporters capture headlines, countless media professionals lose their lives on ordinary roads, covering ordinary events, far from the spotlight.
The accident occurred in Bauchi, one of Nigeria's northeastern states grappling with infrastructure challenges and security concerns. Ben was doing what cameramen do: documenting government projects, capturing images that would inform citizens about development in their region. He never returned.
Colleagues remember him as quiet, competent, and utterly reliable—the kind of professional every newsroom depends on but rarely celebrates until tragedy intervenes.
'Find Strength'
Governor Mohammed urged Ben's family, friends, and colleagues to find strength in this difficult time. He offered prayers for the repose of the deceased's soul.
For the NUJ, Ben's death is a reminder of the price of information in a country where journalists work without the protections their counterparts in safer nations take for granted. For his family, it is an irreplaceable loss.
And for the viewers who watched Channels Television without ever knowing his name, Kani Ben was one of the invisible hands that brought Nigeria into their living rooms every night. His camera is silent now. But the images he captured will outlive him.
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