Seven journalists have been confirmed dead following a fatal road accident in Gombe State involving a bus owned by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The accident occurred while the journalists were returning from a colleague’s wedding in Kaltungo Local Government Area. Reports indicated that the bus suffered a tyre burst around Kumo town in Akko Local Government Area, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to veer off the road into nearby bushes.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe Sector Commander, Samson Kaura, confirmed that seven persons died in the crash, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The figures were also corroborated by the Director-General, Press and Media Affairs at the Government House, Ismaila Misilli.
Those who lost their lives included Zarah Umar, Manager of News and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor in the Office of the First Lady; Manu Haruna Kwami, Manager Administration, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Isa Lawan, Film Editor, NTA; Musa Tabra, a retired Manager of News; Aminu Adamu, a senior driver; Adams Danladi of StarTimes; and Judith Kutus, an Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a morgue in Gombe, while the injured victims are currently receiving medical attention.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as a painful loss to the state and the media profession. In a condolence message, he extended sympathies to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured, assuring that the state government would provide necessary support.
“This is a dark and painful moment for Gombe State. We have lost dedicated professionals and committed public servants whose absence will be deeply felt,” the governor said.
