(DDM) – At least seven journalists have tragically lost their lives in a horrific road accident along the Billiri-Gombe road in Gombe State.
The victims, mostly members of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), were returning from a colleague’s wedding when disaster struck.
Preliminary reports indicate that the bus they were travelling in suffered a tyre burst, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with rescuers struggling to recover victims from the wreckage. Several survivors sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
DDM gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday while the journalists were heading back to Gombe city from Billiri.
The Gombe State Police Command confirmed the accident, stating that it involved a single bus carrying media personnel and that investigations into the exact cause had commenced.
Local sources report that the bus was overcrowded at the time, raising concerns over road safety compliance and vehicle maintenance standards.
Family members of the deceased journalists expressed shock and grief, describing the sudden loss as a heavy blow to the media community in Nigeria’s Northeast.
NUJ officials have called for urgent safety measures for media workers, stressing the dangers of long road journeys undertaken to cover assignments or attend personal events.
Authorities in Gombe have pledged to support the families of the deceased and ensure thorough investigation into the crash, including vehicle inspection and driver competence.
This incident highlights persistent road safety challenges in Nigeria, where tyre bursts and poorly maintained vehicles contribute significantly to fatal accidents.
Emergency response teams worked tirelessly to transport the injured to hospitals, but the chaotic conditions at the crash site complicated rescue operations.
The union has urged government agencies to enforce stricter regulations on intercity transport, particularly for vehicles carrying professional groups like journalists who often travel long distances.
As Gombe mourns, condolences have poured in from media organizations across the country, calling the tragedy a reminder of the perils journalists face even outside the newsroom.
Officials insist that safety protocols, proper vehicle checks, and adherence to road regulations are critical to preventing similar incidents in the future.
The deceased journalists are expected to be honoured in memorial services organized by their colleagues and the NTA chapel, ensuring their contributions to Nigerian journalism are remembered.
Authorities have appealed to motorists to exercise caution on the Billiri-Gombe axis, noting that this stretch of road has been a hotspot for accidents due to poor road conditions and vehicle mishandling.