Seven Journalists Die, Four Injured in Gombe Auto Accident

• ’Deeply saddened’ Atiku mourns journalists’ demise

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that seven members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) lost their lives, while four others sustained injuries in a lone fatal road accident involving an NUJ bus in Gombe State.

The crash involving journalists, staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, and Ministry of Information occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in Gombe South Senatorial District.

The victims were part of a delegation that had travelled to honour a colleague, an employee of NTA, who was getting married.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said yesterday he was saddened by the death of the seven journalists, who lost their lives in the accident.

Atiku, in a statement shared on his official Facebook page, described the deceased as dedicated media professionals who met their untimely deaths while returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague.

He stated, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of seven journalists in a fatal road accident in Gombe South.

“These were dedicated professionals who met their untimely end while returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague.”

Those who lost their lives in the incident included 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; Musa Tabra, a retired Manager News; Aminu Adamu, senior driver; Adams Danladi of StarTimes; and Judith Kutus, Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with journalists, Gombe State Sector Commander of FRSC, Samson Kaura, said a total of 11 persons were involved in the accident.

According to him, “From the information available to us, 11 people were involved in the crash. Sadly, seven of them died on the spot, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

Kaura stated that preliminary findings indicated that the accident was a lone crash, likely caused by a tyre burst.

“It is a lone accident, and from what we have gathered so far, it is very fatal. Although investigations are still ongoing, I suspect it may have been a tyre burst. Perhaps the driver applied the brakes suddenly, which caused the vehicle to somersault,” he stated.

The sector commander added that FRSC rescue teams were promptly deployed to the scene and were still conducting rescue and recovery operations as of the time of the interview.

Kaura said, “Our officers are still on the ground carrying out rescue operations. We have not concluded the full assessment yet, but a comprehensive report will be released after the operation is completed.”

He assured that the injured victims had been taken to nearby health facilities for medical attention, while the corps would continue its investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State said he received with shock and deep emotional pain the tragic news of the fatal accident.

Yahaya described the incident as a heart-rending tragedy that had plunged Gombe State into mourning, stating that the loss goes beyond families and institutions to the very soul of the state’s media and public service community.

The governor said the deceased were committed professionals who dedicated their lives to informing, educating and serving the people, describing their deaths as a devastating blow to journalism, public service and governance in Gombe State.

He said, “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.”

He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the leadership and members of NUJ, the management and staff of NTA, and the entire media fraternity within and beyond Gombe State.

Yahaya also expressed grave concern for the injured victims currently receiving medical attention, including Emmanuel Akila (NTA Government House Correspondent), Steven Doddo of NTA Marketing Department, Nina Gadal (Ministry of Information), and Jonathan Bara, Manager, Marketing, NTA. He assured them of the government’s full support.

Chieftain of African Democratic Congress, ADC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, commiserated with the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased, as well as the entire media community.

Atiku also condoled with the entire media community, especially NUJ and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for strength and comfort for those they left behind during the painful and difficult time.