Bauchi Civil Service Commission Terminates Clerical Assistant’s Appointment Over Reckless Driving That Killed Two Journalists

The Bauchi State Civil Service Commission has terminated the appointment of Aminu Abdullahi, a clerical assistant in the state service, following a fatal road accident caused by his reckless driving that led to the death of two journalists.

The decision was reached during the Commission’s 13th plenary session held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at its conference hall. The Commission, in a statement issued by its Information and Public Relations Officer, Sale Umar, said Abdullahi was dismissed for misconduct arising from negligence while carrying out an assigned duty .

According to the Commission, Abdullahi, a Grade Level 03 clerical assistant with the State Ministry of Higher Education, was directed under “Any Other Duty” to drive a team of journalists covering project commissioning activities of the North East Development Commission in Alkaleri Local Government Area. His actions were found to contravene Rules 0312 and 0327 of the Bauchi State Public Service Regulations .

“The termination of Aminu Abdullahi from service was as a result of negligence while carrying out an assigned duty of driving. The misconduct contradicts Rules 0312 and 0327 of the Bauchi State Public Service Regulations,” the statement read in part .

The fatal crash occurred on Friday, February 6, 2026, along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area. The accident happened shortly after a delegation led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, accompanied by Bauchi State Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, had handed over a Government Secondary School project in Yelwan Duguri to the state government. The convoy was heading to inaugurate the Bara Bridge between Bauchi and Gombe states when the accident occurred minutes after the ceremony .

The crash involved 13 journalists. A cameraman with Channels Television, Kani Ben, and another cameraman with the Bauchi State Television Authority, Kabiru Ahmed Ilelah, died from injuries sustained in the accident. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries .

The Commission stated that Abdullahi was accused of reckless driving, which directly led to the accident. The disciplinary action followed recommendations from the Ministry of Higher Education and resolutions of the State Executive Council after reviewing the case .

“Aminu, who was accused of reckless driving, caused an accident involving more than 10 journalists. As a result, two persons lost their lives, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the Commission’s statement added .

In a related development, the Commission queried the management of the Ministry of Higher Education, demanding an explanation as to why a clerical assistant was assigned driving duties meant for a professional driver .

Governor Bala Mohammed had earlier ordered the disengagement of the clerical assistant from the service following the tragic incident .

Meanwhile, as part of its routine activities, the Commission also approved the conversion of 10 officers to different cadres during the same plenary session .