At least seven journalists have died and four others sustained injuries in a tragic road accident involving a bus belonging to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gombe State.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday evening as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District. The victims were part of an NUJ delegation that had travelled to celebrate with a colleague from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) who was getting married.
The incident has thrown the media community in Gombe State and across the country into deep mourning, with journalists, media organisations, and professional bodies expressing shock and grief over the sudden loss of their colleagues.
Confirming the accident, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Samson Kaura, said 11 people were involved in the crash. He explained that seven journalists died on the spot, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to the FRSC, the incident was a lone crash, with no other vehicle involved. Preliminary investigations suggest that a tyre burst caused the bus to lose control and veer off the road. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the vehicle went out of control after the tyre burst, leading to the deadly accident.
Emergency responders were alerted shortly after the crash and rescue efforts began promptly. The injured journalists were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, although their conditions were not immediately disclosed. The bodies of the deceased were evacuated from the scene and taken to a morgue in Gombe, pending identification and burial arrangements by their families and the NUJ.
Road accidents remain a major challenge in Nigeria, often resulting in loss of lives and serious injuries. Factors such as tyre bursts, speeding, poor road conditions, and mechanical failures are frequently blamed for crashes on highways across the country. The FRSC has consistently warned motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long journeys, with particular emphasis on proper tyre maintenance.
In recent years, Gombe State has recorded several fatal road accidents, especially on highways linking rural communities to the state capital. These roads are heavily used for social and commercial activities, increasing the risk of crashes.
The deaths of the journalists have renewed calls for stricter road safety measures and regular vehicle checks, especially for buses used to transport groups. Media practitioners in Gombe State observed moments of silence in honour of the deceased, describing them as dedicated professionals who contributed significantly to the growth of journalism in the state.
Condolence messages have continued to pour in from government officials, media organisations, and civil society groups, many of whom described the incident as a painful loss to the NUJ and the entire state. As investigations continue, the FRSC has urged motorists to drive cautiously, avoid speeding, and ensure their vehicles are in good condition, particularly when travelling late in the evening.
