Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Gombe, Nigeria — A devastating road accident on Monday evening has claimed the lives of seven journalists and left four others injured, plunging the media community in Gombe State into mourning and raising urgent questions about road safety in the region. The crash occurred on the Billiri–Kumo section of the Gombe–Yola highway as a vehicle carrying members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was returning from a wedding ceremony.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the fatal incident involved an NUJ bus conveying media personnel back to Gombe after they had attended the wedding of a colleague — an employee of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) — in the Gombe South Senatorial District.
FRSC officials confirmed that 11 people were on board the vehicle when the crash occurred. Of those, seven died at the scene, and four sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Preliminary assessments by the FRSC’s Gombe State Sector Commander, Samson Kaura, suggest that a tyre burst may have caused the driver to lose control, leading the bus to veer off the road and somersault into adjacent bushes. Rescue teams were promptly deployed to the scene as part of ongoing efforts to recover more details and assist the injured.
The identities of some of the victims have been released, underscoring the heartbreaking loss to Nigeria’s media landscape. Among the dead were senior media professionals with long careers in journalism and public service. Reported names include Zarah Umar, Manager of News and a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor in the Office of the First Lady of Gombe State; Manu Haruna Kwami, Manager Administration at NTA; Isa Lawan, Film Editor at NTA; and Musa Tabra, a retired Manager of News at NTA. Other victims included Aminu Adamu, a senior driver, Adams Danladi of StarTimes, and Judith Kutus, Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The injured journalists are receiving specialist care at medical facilities in Gombe, and authorities have indicated that some were initially taken to hospitals in Billiri before being referred to larger treatment centres due to the severity of their injuries.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya expressed profound grief at the loss, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and solidarity with the NUJ and wider media community. In a public statement, the governor described the crash as a “heart-rending tragedy”, noting that the deceased were dedicated professionals who contributed significantly to public service and information dissemination.
The tragedy has resonated across Nigeria’s journalistic and civil society circles, with colleagues and organisations paying tribute to the fallen and calling for increased emphasis on road safety measures. Many industry bodies lamented the loss of experienced voices in the national media and urged authorities to accelerate efforts to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Road traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death in Nigeria, particularly on rural and inter-state highways where high vehicle speeds, inadequate infrastructure, and mechanical failures contribute to a disproportionate number of fatalities. In recent years, authorities and safety advocates have highlighted the need for better road maintenance, rigorous vehicle safety checks, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to reduce the frequency and severity of such crashes.
For many families and communities connected to the victims, the impact of the crash extends beyond statistics. Tributes shared on social media and at impromptu vigils told of personal loss and professional dedication, with fellow journalists recalling the deceased as mentors, friends, and respected colleagues. Several media houses in Gombe and beyond announced temporary periods of mourning and planned memorial services to celebrate the lives of those who perished.
The FRSC confirmed that its investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing, noting that definitive conclusions will await a full mechanical examination of the vehicle and reconstruction of the accident scene. Safety officials emphasised that early findings — including the suspected tyre failure — remain provisional.
While the families of the bereaved and injured journalists grapple with loss and recovery, the incident has once again brought national focus to Nigeria’s road safety crisis. Advocacy groups are renewing calls for comprehensive reforms that would address not just immediate causes like tyre integrity and driver training but the broader systemic issues that contribute to road traffic fatalities across the country.
As Gombe mourns, colleagues of the victims continue to hold vigils and lay planning for funerals, with many pledging to honour their memory through continued commitment to journalistic excellence and public service. The broader media fraternity has also called for unity and support for the injured as they recover from this devastating loss.
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