Black day for Gombe media community as 7 journalists die in auto crash

On Monday, tragedy struck the media community in Gombe State when seven journalists died in a ghastly motor accident on the Gombe-Yola highway while returning from a wedding ceremony in Kaltungo Local Government Area. Six of the casualties were members of staff of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, while the seventh was an information […]

On Monday, tragedy struck the media community in Gombe State when seven journalists died in a ghastly motor accident on the Gombe-Yola highway while returning from a wedding ceremony in Kaltungo Local Government Area.

Six of the casualties were members of staff of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, while the seventh was an information officer in the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The accident involved a Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Hummer bus conveying 11 journalists who were returning from a colleague’s wedding in Kaltungo.

 

The deceased

Hajiya Zahra Umar Adamu, 52, was a manager of news and current affairs. An indigene of Kano State, Hajiya Zahra, as she was fondly called by friends and colleagues, worked in the Gombe State Media Corporation (GMC) before joining the NTA. She is survived by her husband and four children.

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Musa Jibrin Tabra, 62, had a brief stint in politics and served as a councillor before joining the NTA. ‘Oga Tabra’ was transferred to NTA, Jalingo, where he subsequently retired as manager, news and current affairs.

Manu Haruna Kwami, 55, was the manager, administration at the Gombe office of the NTA. He is survived by a wife, six children and several siblings and relatives.

Isa Lawan, 43, was a non-linear editor in the Programmes Department of the NTA, Gombe. He worked at the station for over 15 years. A soft spoken and friendly person, the late Lawan is survived by a wife and two children.

Malam Aminu Muhammad was a senior driver in the NTA, Gombe. The indigene of Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State worked in the NTA, Gombe for over 18 years as one of their drivers in the News and Current Affairs Department. He is survived by a wife and four children.

Mrs Judith Kudus, 50, was an information officer in the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). She worked in the state Ministry of Information and Culture and was posted to the SUBEB about four years ago.

Mr Adams Danladi, 35, worked in the StarTimes, Gombe. The young bachelor is survived by his parents, siblings and many relatives.

 

Injured victims

While seven persons died on the spot, the remaining four occupants of the bus survived the accident and are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

The injured victims are Mr Emmanuel Akila, Government House correspondent of the NTA, Steven Doddo of the NTA Marketing Department, Ms Nina Gadal of the state Ministry of Information, and Mr Jonathan Bara.

 

How the accident happened

Following a successful wedding programme in Kaltungo, the bus’s tyre burst on the return journey around Ladongor in Billiri Local Government Area, causing the driver to veer off the road and somersaulted multiple times before finally landing into adjoining bushes.

The general manager of the NTA, Gombe, Malam Abubakar Adamu, whose car was trailing the ill-fated bus during the trip, said he witnessed when the vehicle somersaulted multiple times before it landed in a nearby bush.

“As someone who watched how it happened, to tell you how I feel would be making an understatement. It was very tragic watching my staff in the bus flying in the air like birds and landing as dead people.

“It is terrible for every staff member of the NTA, Gombe. We truly miss hard working colleagues and pray that Allah would grant them Aljannutul Firdaus.

“We are also praying for quick recovery for those on admission in hospital. I also want to seize this moment to thank all those that stood with us during this trying time,” he said.

 

Funeral prayer amid tears

The funeral prayer for four of the deceased – Manu Haruna Kwami, Musa Jibrin Tabra, Malam Aminu Muhammad and Isa Lawan – was held at the Bubayero Central Mosque, Emir’s Palace, Gombe. The prayer, led by Imam Aliyu Hammari, attracted a large turnout of sympathisers, including grieving family members and colleagues from the media industry.

Among those in attendance were Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi and other senior government officials.

Weekend Trust reports that the remains of the fifth casualty, Hajiya Zahra Umar Adamu, were conveyed to her state of origin, Kano, where the funeral prayer was held.

 

Condolences for the departed

The national president of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, said the untimely passing of the seven media professionals was a devastating blow to the journalism community, not only in Gombe State but across Nigeria.

He described them as committed practitioners who served the public with courage, integrity and professionalism.

“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, the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased,” he said.

Yahya added that the NUJ shared in this moment of grief and stood in full solidarity with the bereaved families and the Gombe State media family.

He added that the tragic incident again underscored 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.”

 

Governor Yahaya mourns, sponsors treatment of injured victims

The Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also offered his condolences. Speaking with newsmen after visiting the surviving victims in the FTH, Gombe, he described the incident as tragic, noting that it plunged the entire state into mourning, noting that the loss goes beyond families and institutions to the very soul of the state’s media and public service community.

He described the deceased as committed professionals who dedicated their lives to informing, educating and serving the people, adding that their deaths dealt a devastating blow to journalism, public service and governance in the state.

“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,” Governor Yahaya said.

He extended his deepest condolence to the families of the deceased, leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, management and staff of the NTA and the entire media fraternity within and beyond the state.

The governor also announced that the state government had taken over the full medical bills of all the injured victims, assuring that he would provide every necessary support to aid their recovery.

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State also commiserated with the NUJ over the unfortunate demise of the seven members of the union.

In a statement signed by Emmanuel Bello, his special adviser on media and digital communication, Governor Kefas also extended his commiseration to the families of the staff of the NTA who lost their lives in the unfortunate crash.

Governor Kefas noted that journalists, as members of the fourth estate of the realm, played a pivotal role in shaping opinion and steering national discussion.

Governor Kefas described the accident as a national tragedy, adding that they died in active service, stressing that their labour to the country would never be forgotten.

The Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, also expressed his condolences to the NUJ. The governor conveyed his sympathy through his special adviser on media, Dauda Iliya at the Jalo Waziri House in Gombe, where he met with members of the NUJ, led by its national president, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, alongside the management and staff of the NTA Gombe.

Governor Zulum described the loss of seven media professionals at once as both devastating and heartbreaking.

“I was deeply shocked to hear the news of the death of seven journalists, most of whom are staff of the Nigerian Television Authority in a tragic motor accident. My prayers and thoughts are with the government and people of Gombe State, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the NTA, their immediate families and the entire working journalists,” Zulum stated.

 

Ministers mourn

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has also expressed sorrow over the tragic death of the seven journalists.

The minister, in a statement issued by his special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim, described the tragedy as heartbreaking. He noted that the journalists were committed voices who informed the public with courage, integrity and professionalism.

“This is a harrowing moment. Nigeria has lost dedicated voices who informed, educated and stood for truth. Their passing is a heavy blow to us all,” he stated.

He extended his condolences to the NUJ, families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. May the Almighty God grant them comfort and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.

“We stand in solidarity with the NUJ and the entire media community at this difficult time. We must continue to work together to improve safety measures for those who serve the nation daily,” he stated.

Also, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, expressed condolences to the Gombe State Council of the NUJ and the families of the seven deceased journalists.

In a condolence message, the minister described the incident as devastating, not only to the bereaved families and loved ones but also to the media community and the country in general, noting that journalism remains a critical pillar of democracy.

“The demise of these journalists is a gargantuan loss. Our country has lost seven dedicated professionals who served as the voice of the voiceless and demonstrated courage and commitment in the discharge of their duties. They will be remembered as professionals who stood out in their chosen callings,” Senator Alkali stated.

The minister, while praying for the repose of the souls of the departed, asked Allah to grant their families the strength and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. He equally prayed for the quick recovery of those who sustained injuries in the accident.

 

Atiku mourns

In a post on his verified Facebook page, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stated that he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the seven journalists.

“These were dedicated professionals who met their untimely end while returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague. My heartfelt condolences go to their families, friends and the entire media community, especially the NUJ. May their souls rest in peace, and may those they left behind find strength and comfort during this painful time,” the post reads.

Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo also extended heartfelt condolences to the NUJ and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU). In a post on his Facebook page, Senator Dankwambo, representing Gombe North senatorial district, said he received the tragic news with shock and deep sorrow.

“With complete submission to Allah’s divine will, I, my family and political associates mourn the devoted colleagues of the NUJ/NTA, Gombe who lost their lives in a fatal road accident while on assignment.

“They paid the ultimate price through their courage, honesty and commitment, alongside colleagues who sustained injuries, leaving an irreplaceable void in our midst,” he stated.

Dankwambo added that their exemplary service to journalism and Gombe community shall forever be cherished.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the president, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, Gombe State branch, and the entire media profession.

“We pray for quick recovery and complete healing and strength for those receiving medical treatment,” he added.

Also in a condolence message, the director-general of the NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, described the unfortunate incident as a big loss to the NTA, saying, “Their commitment, camaraderie and service will be sorely missed.”

“It is with profound sadness and deep sense of loss that the management and entire staff of the NTA received the heartbreaking news of the tragic death of our dear colleagues.

“On behalf of the management and staff of the NTA, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the management and staff of NTA Gombe and all who were affected by this tragedy. We share in your grief and sorrow during this very difficult time.

“We pray that the Almighty God, in his infinite mercy, grants the departed eternal rest and forgive their shortcomings. May he also grant their families, colleagues and friends the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Dembos stated.

In its condolence message, the chairman of the Gombe State Council of the NUJ, Farouk Muazu Gombe, described the deceased journalists as pillars of truth and voices for the voiceless who left behind, legacies of courage, integrity and unwavering commitment to the noble profession of journalism.

He stated that the memories of the deceased would forever inspire journalists in Gombe to uphold the sacred duty of press freedom and ethical reporting.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to their families, friends, colleagues and the entire NUJ and RATTAWU in Gombe State

“May the Almighty Allah, in his infinite mercy, grant eternal rest to their souls, comfort the bereaved and strengthen us all in this hour of unimaginable grief. In this time of collective mourning, let us hold fast to unity and resilience,” he stated.