Gombe State was thrown into deep mourning on Monday evening following a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of seven members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), leaving four others injured. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the journalism community across the country, once again underscoring the risks journalists face even outside the line of duty.
The fatal crash occurred as the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District. They had travelled as a delegation to celebrate one of their own—a colleague with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)—whose wedding was meant to be a moment of joy, unity, and shared happiness. Instead, the return journey turned into a nightmare that has left families, colleagues, and friends heartbroken.
Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Samson Kaura, disclosed that a total of 11 persons were involved in the lone accident.
“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 said during a telephone interview.
According to him, preliminary findings suggest that the accident may have been caused by a tyre burst, possibly compounded by sudden braking, which led to the vehicle somersaulting.
“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 explained.
Kaura added that FRSC rescue teams were immediately deployed to the scene and were still carrying out rescue and recovery operations as of the time of the interview. He assured that the injured victims were rushed to nearby health facilities, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
“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 said.
As news of the tragedy spread, sorrow engulfed the Gombe NUJ chapter and the wider media community. What was meant to be a joyful communal celebration ended in silence, tears, and unanswered questions. Colleagues described the deceased journalists as dedicated professionals who lived to tell the stories of others, only to have their own stories cut short on the road.
Reacting to the incident, NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, expressed profound grief, describing the crash as “another sad day for the journalism profession in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.”
“This is a painful and irreparable loss. We are devastated by the sudden passing of our colleagues who left home to celebrate love and unity, but never returned,” Yahya said. “The NUJ is in mourning. Our hearts are with the families of the deceased, the injured survivors, and the entire Gombe media family at this very difficult time.”
He called for prayers, solidarity, and support for the bereaved families, while urging relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward road safety to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Across newsrooms, radio stations, and television studios, the mood remains heavy. Tributes have continued to pour in for the fallen journalists—men and women remembered not just for their bylines and voices, but for their humanity, camaraderie, and commitment to the profession.
As Gombe buries its dead and tends to its wounded, the tragedy stands as a painful reminder that life is fragile, and that behind every headline is a human story—sometimes one written in tears.
