Seven journalists killed in Gombe road accident

Seven journalists lost their lives on Monday in a fatal road accident along the Yola–Kumo highway, near the Billiri axis of Gombe State.

The journalists, including staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, were returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague in Billiri Local Government Area when the bus conveying them crashed. Preliminary findings indicate that a tyre burst caused the accident.

Those confirmed dead include Zarah Umar, manager of news and senior special assistant to the governor in the office of the first lady; Manu Haruna Kwami, manager of administration at NTA; Isa Lawan, a film editor with NTA; and Musa Tabra, a retired manager of news. Others are Aminu Adamu, a senior driver; Adams Danladi of StarTimes; and Judith Kutus, an information officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Mohammed Saddam, a member of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) rescue team in the state, said four other occupants sustained injuries in the crash. He noted that the victims were initially taken to Amana Clinic and the General Hospital in Billiri before both the injured and the deceased were referred to the Specialist Hospital in Gombe.

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Reacting to the incident, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, described the deaths as devastating. In a statement issued by the director-general of press affairs, Ismaila Misilli, the governor said he received the news with “overwhelming grief, shock, and deep emotional pain.”

According to him, the deceased were committed media professionals and public servants whose contributions to the state would not be forgotten.

“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,” Yahaya said.