Beyond the Headline: Tragic Death of Bauchi Journalist Exposes Critical Insurance Gaps in Nigerian Media

 

​The Nigerian journalism community is in deep mourning following the tragic passing of Kani Ben, a dedicated cameraman with Channels Television, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific road accident in Bauchi State. On February 15, 2026, Ben passed away at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) after battling for nine days following a crash that involved 13 other journalists covering a North East Development Commission (NEDC) project tour. This heartbreaking loss has reignited a fierce national debate over the "silent dangers" facing media workers in Nigeria, specifically the glaring absence of comprehensive insurance coverage and the hazardous conditions under which reporters are often forced to operate.

​The Tragedy on Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road

​The accident occurred on February 6, 2026, when a vehicle carrying a press team lost control along the pothole-riddled Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area. While high-ranking government officials traveled in armored, well-maintained SUVs, the press bus—reportedly part of a secondary, less secure convoy—veered off the road.

​Kani Ben sustained a severe spinal cord injury in the crash. Despite undergoing surgery and receiving intensive care, his death has left behind a grieving wife and two children, along with a profession reeling from the realization that many of its members are just one accident away from financial and physical ruin.

​A Structural Problem: The Insurance Gap

​The death of Kani Ben is being viewed not as an isolated incident, but as a symptom of a systemic failure in the Nigerian media industry. Most journalists in Nigeria, especially those working in high-risk zones like the North East, operate without:

• ​Life Insurance: Many media houses do not provide death benefits to the families of fallen reporters.
• ​Health Insurance: Journalists often pay out-of-pocket for injuries sustained while on official assignments.
• ​Hazard Pay: Despite covering insurgency, communal clashes, and dangerous terrain, "hazard allowances" are virtually non-existent for the majority of practitioners.

​Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has used this tragedy to call for a mandatory National Group Life and Health Insurance Scheme. He argued that it is no longer enough for media houses to provide press cards; they must provide a safety net that covers accidents, permanent disability, and untimely death.

​The "Silent Dangers" of Field Reporting

​Beyond the immediate risk of road accidents, Nigerian journalists face a cocktail of "silent dangers" that often go unaddressed:

1. ​Poor Transportation Logistics: Reporters are frequently packed into poorly maintained vehicles that trail behind high-speed government convoys.
2. ​Psychological Burnout: The 24/7 news cycle and exposure to traumatic events without mental health support lead to severe burnout.
3. ​Physical Insecurity: Working in regions with active banditry and IED threats (as seen in recent Zamfara attacks) makes field reporting one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.

​Calls for Reform: The Role of the NEDC and Government

​In the wake of the crash, the NEDC expressed deep sympathy and pledged to replace five professional cameras destroyed in the accident. While the replacement of equipment is a welcomed gesture, the NUJ and other stakeholders are demanding more. The call is now for the NEDC and various state governments to include "mandatory insurance" as a prerequisite for any media team accompanying official delegations.

​The Bauchi State Government has received praise for supporting the medical bills of the survivors, but advocates argue that ad-hoc charity is not a substitute for institutionalized insurance.

​Conclusion: A Call to Action for Media Proprietors

​The lens of Kani Ben may have been silenced, but the story of his death must serve as a catalyst for change. Media proprietors can no longer shy away from their duty to protect their most valuable asset: their people. For the journalism profession to remain viable in Nigeria, the "silent dangers" must be met with loud, legislative, and institutionalized protection.

​As we remember Kani Ben, the message to every media house in Nigeria is clear: Insurance is not a luxury; it is a professional necessity.