A Kano based reporter for Channels TV, Enenche Akogwu, was shot dead by Boko Haram militants. Akogwu was on assignment at the scene of the multiple bomb blasts that occurred Friday evening in Kano for which the Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lid Da’awati wal Jihad known as Boko Haram has claimed responsibility.

He arrived at the Farm center police station shortly after the first bomb exploded there and approached by-standers thinking they would tell him what they had seen. Before Akogwu could realize they were Islamic militants, the men had pulled out a gun and killed him on the spot.
“The mood in the newsroom was one of complete shock,” said Chika Moses, a Lagos based co-worker of the deceased. “Our editor was close to tears. It seemed like the newsroom stood still for a bit. People were crying. The chairman, Mr. Momoh, actually oversaw the writing of the report announcing his death. It was a shock. A big loss, everyone is still reeling from it.”

Akogwu who was 31, graduated Benue State University in 2004 and joined Channels Television as a reporter in the nation’s capital city of Abuja, two years ago. He was later made the station’s correspondent in Kano. There he started his Masters degree at Bayero University Kano and was about to complete the course work when ASUU went on strike.

He was described by co-workes as a resourceful and fearless reporter who covered the northern region of Nigeria, uncovering breaking stories and events in that region.

Akogwu was the winner of Channels TV’s 2011 Chairman’s award, for which he was honored at the station’s end of the year celebration.

He was spending some time in Lagos and returned to Kano two days before the incident that led to his death. The management of Channels TV expressed deep sadness over the death of their courageous reporter.