Bauchi confirms slain Channels TV cameraman wife’s employment

The Bauchi State Government has formalised the employment of Mrs Sara Halilu, wife of the late Channels Television cameraman, Ben Kani.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Information Officer of the State Civil Service Commission, Saleh Umar.

According to the statement, Halilu’s appointment was regularised as Registrar II, Cooperative Society, following an amendment to her initial placement as Cooperative Officer II to align with the appropriate scheme of service.

The commission noted that the decision was in fulfilment of a promise made by the state governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to support the family of the deceased.

Kani died while on official duty during the commissioning of projects executed by the North East Development Commission in ,the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

He was among two journalists who lost their lives in a motor accident involving over 10 media personnel covering the event.

The government had earlier pledged, on compassionate grounds, to employ his wife in recognition of his service to the state.

Umar also said the commission also approved a series of promotions and appointments within the state civil service during its 10th plenary session held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

The statement revealed that 10 Deputy Directors on Grade Level 15 were promoted to substantive Directors on Grade Level 16, following the governor’s approval.

The affected departments include Commercial, Sports, Monitoring and Compliance, Readers Services, Engineering and Technical Services, News and Current Affairs, as well as Administration and Human Resources.

In addition, three Deputy Directors were elevated to Director level in the areas of Donor and Technical Coordination, Planning, and Water Supply.

Nine Chief Officers on Grade Level 14 were also promoted to Deputy Directors on Grade Level 15, covering fields such as Architecture, Quantity Survey, Public Building, and Statistics.

Similarly, 26 Assistant Chief Executive Officers were promoted to Chief Executive Officers, while 51 Principal Executive Officers advanced to Assistant Chief Executive Officers.

Four Confidential Secretaries on Grade Level 13 were promoted to Chief Confidential Secretaries on Grade Level 14.

Other beneficiaries include Chief Architects, Chief Works Superintendents (Mechanical, Electrical and Building), Assistant Chief Fire Officers, and Assistant Chief Fire Superintendents.

The commission further approved the re-engagement of Abubakar D. Ibrahim and Mohd Y. Ahmad as Assistant Chief Clerical Officer and Assistant Chief Data Processing Assistant, respectively, on Grade Level 6.

The appointments, according to the statement, are on a two-year contract basis effective from March 1, 2026.