Seven journalists have died in a motor crash along the Yola–Kumo road, after Billiri axis in Gombe state.
The victims, some of whom were members of staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, were coming back from the wedding ceremony of a colleague held in the Billiri LGA of the state when the accident occurred.
Initial reports attributed the accident to a burst tyre on the bus conveying the journalists from the wedding ceremony.
According to Channels Television, those who lost their lives include 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, film editor, NTA; and Musa Tabra, a retired manager news.
Others are Aminu Adamu, senior driver; Adams Danladi of StarTimes; and Judith Kutus, information officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Mohammed Saddam, a member of the rescue team of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, stated in a statement that four persons sustained injuries in the accident.
“The victims were taken to Amana Clinic and General Hospital, Billiri, respectively, and later on, both the injured victims and the dead bodies were all conveyed to the specialist hospital, Gombe, on referral,” the statement reads.
Inuwa Yahaya, governor of the state, said he received the death of the journalists with “overwhelming grief, shock, and deep emotional pain”.
In a statement issued by Ismaila Misilli, director-general of press affairs at the Gombe government house, Yahaya said the victims were dedicated media professionals.
