The Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) station in Gombe State and the wider media community have been plunged into mourning following a devastating road accident that claimed the lives of seven journalists.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, along the Yola-Kumo highway, specifically after the Billiri axis in Gombe State. According to preliminary reports from rescue officials, the accident was caused by a burst tyre on the bus carrying the victims.
The journalists were returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague which had been held in the Billiri Local Government Area of the state. The joyous occasion turned into a nightmare on their journey back.
Victims and Rescue Efforts
Mohammed Saddam, a member of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) rescue team in Gombe, confirmed the grim details. He stated that four other persons sustained injuries in the crash alongside the seven fatalities.
The victims were initially taken to Amana Clinic and General Hospital in Billiri. Subsequently, both the injured and the deceased were referred and conveyed to the specialist hospital in Gombe.
The deceased journalists have been identified as:
- Zarah Umar - Manager, News, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor in the Office of the First Lady.
- Manu Haruna Kwami - Manager of Administration, NTA.
- Isa Lawan - Film Editor, NTA.
- Musa Tabra - A retired news manager.
- Aminu Adamu - Senior Driver.
- Adams Danladi - Staff of StarTimes.
- Judith Kutus - Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
A Community in Mourning
The management of NTA in Gombe State is reeling from the loss, which has wiped out a significant portion of its experienced staff. The incident highlights the perennial dangers of road travel in Nigeria, even for professionals on personal journeys.
This tragedy follows another recent high-profile accident involving heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, underscoring a worrying trend of road safety failures during the festive period.
The grief in Gombe is compounded by the memory of another recent wedding-related tragedy, where seven residents of Lawanti village died on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway while traveling to a ceremony.
The loss of these seven media professionals represents a significant blow to journalism and information dissemination in Gombe State, leaving colleagues, families, and the entire community in a state of profound sorrow.
