Seven journalists lost their lives on Monday, in a car accident which occurred along the Yola–Kumo road, after Billiri axis in Gombe State.
The victims, some of whom were members of staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, were returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague held in the Billiri Local Government Area of the state when the bus conveying them was involved in the crash.
Preliminary reports attributed the accident to a burst tyre on the bus.
According to Channels Television, those who lost their lives include Zarah Umar, Manager, News and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor in the Office of the First Lady; Manu Haruna Kwami, Manager Administration, NTA; Isa Lawan, film editor, NTA; and Musa Tabra, a retired manager news.
Others are Aminu Adamu, senior driver; Adams Danladi of StarTimes; and Judith Kutus, Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Mohammed Saddam, a member of the rescue team of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, said in a statement that four persons sustained injuries in the accident.
“The victims were taken to Amana Clinic and General Hospital, Billiri, respectively, and later on, both the injured victims and the dead bodies were all conveyed to the specialist hospital, Gombe, on referral,” the statement reads.
Inuwa Yahaya, governor of the state, said he received the death of the journalists with “overwhelming grief, shock, and deep emotional pain”.
In a statement issued by Ismaila Misilli, director-general of press affairs at the Gombe government house, Yahaya said the victims were dedicated media professionals.
“This tragedy is deeply painful. We have lost colleagues, partners in progress, and devoted public servants who served with passion and a strong sense of duty. Their absence will be felt for a long time,” the governor said.
Alhassan Yahya, NUJ national president, described the incident as “a devastating blow to the journalism community, not only in Gombe state but across Nigeria.”
In a statement he personally issued, the NUJ president said the deceased were committed practitioners who served the public with courage, integrity, and professionalism, noting that “their loss has left an irreplaceable void in our noble profession”.
“On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC), the entire NUJ family nationwide, and the Nigerian media community, the Union extends its heartfelt condolences to the Gombe State Council of the NUJ and the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased,” the message reads.
“The NUJ shares in this moment of grief and stands in full solidarity with the bereaved families and the Gombe State media family. We pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to the souls of the departed and gives their loved ones the fortitude to bear the painful loss.”
Yahya said the incident again underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures and responsible driving to prevent avoidable loss of lives, especially for professionals who are often on the road in the line of duty.
