By Correspondent in Gombe.
(C) Phoenix.
What began as a journey of joy and solidarity ended in unspeakable sorrow on Monday evening as at least seven journalists lost their lives in a fatal road accident involving a Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) bus in Gombe State.
The journalists were said to be returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District, where they had gone to honour a colleague, when the tragedy happened.
The colleague is sad to be an employee of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Sources said the accident occurred along the Gombe,Boliri Road, throwing the journalism community into deep shock and grief.
Confirming the tragedy, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Samson Kaura, said 11 journalists were involved in the crash.
“From the information available to us, 11 people were involved in the crash but sadly, seven of them died on the spot while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Kaura said.
He said preliminary investigations by the FRSC indicate that the crash was a lone accident, most likely caused by a tyre burst.
The deaths have left families devastated, colleagues traumatised and the journalism profession in mourning.
The victims were described as vibrant professionals who set out in unity to share in their colleague’s happiness, unaware that the journey would be their last.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Management and staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) expressed profound grief over the loss of their colleagues from NTA Gombe.
In a condolence message signed by the Director General of NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, the Authority described the incident as a heartbreaking and irreparable loss.
“It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that the Management and entire staff of the Nigerian Television Authority received the heartbreaking news of the tragic death of our dear colleagues from NTA Gombe in a fatal auto accident along the Gombe–Boliri Road, while returning from the wedding ceremony of a fellow staff member,” the statement read.
According to the NTA, the deceased were dedicated professionals whose commitment, camaraderie and service to the Authority and the nation would be sorely missed.
“Their passing under such painful circumstances is a great loss, not only to their immediate families and loved ones, but also to the NTA family as a whole,” the Director General said.
The NTA extended its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the management and staff of NTA Gombe, and all those affected by the tragedy, noting that the entire organisation shares in their grief.
The Authority prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for strength for those left behind.
“We pray that Almighty God, in His infinite mercy, grants the departed eternal rest and the fortitude for their families, colleagues and friends to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement added.
As tears replace the songs of celebration and empty seats remind loved ones of what has been lost, the tragedy stands as a painful reminder of life’s fragility.
For the journalism community in Gombe and beyond, the wounds are deep, the silence heavy, and the grief enduring.
May their souls rest in perfect peace.
Meanwhile, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kogi State Council have joined their colleagues in the country in mourning the deaths in the accident via the union’s social media platform.
Mr.Laide Oyelude of The Nation said, “May the departed souls rest in peace. This is sad and unfortunate.”
The Publisher of The Reporters, Alhaji D. U. Ahmed, also expressed deep grief over the tragedy, describing the loss as heartbreaking, especially with seven lives lost at once.
He prayed that Almighty Allah grants the deceased Al-Jannatul Firdaus and gives their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable and great loss.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
