Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed profound grief and extended his condolences following a devastating road traffic accident that claimed the lives of seven journalists from Gombe State. The tragic event occurred on Monday, December 30, 2025, along the Billiri–Kumo Road, casting a pall over the media community and the wider North-East region.
The statement of condolence was issued by Mr. Mukhtar Gidado, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, and disseminated to news outlets on Tuesday.
The Tragic Incident: A Community in Mourning
Preliminary reports indicate the accident was caused by a sudden tyre burst. The journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony for a colleague from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), a journey that underscores the close-knit nature of their professional and personal bonds. The crash resulted in the immediate loss of seven lives, while four other individuals sustained injuries of varying severity and are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital.
A Governor’s Personal and Professional Lament
In his statement, Governor Mohammed, who is himself a journalist by profession, described the incident as “heartbreaking” and “a great loss.” He emphasized that the impact extends far beyond the immediate families and newsrooms, affecting the entire fabric of society in the North-East and Nigeria as a whole.
“Journalists play a vital role in strengthening our democracy, promoting national unity, and keeping society informed,” Mohammed stated. “Their work is a pillar of our civic life, which makes this sudden loss not just a statistical tragedy, but a deep wound to our collective progress and discourse.”
Context: The Perils of Journalism and Road Safety in Nigeria
This tragedy brings into sharp focus two critical issues. First, it highlights the often-overlooked risks journalists face beyond conflict zones or political persecution. Routine travel for assignments, coverage, or community events on Nigeria’s roads—which have some of the highest fatality rates globally—poses a significant occupational hazard.
Second, it underscores the persistent challenge of road safety infrastructure and vehicle maintenance in the region. Incidents like tyre bursts, often preventable with proper upkeep and road conditions, continue to claim lives, making journeys for professionals, including those who report on these very issues, perilous.
Extending Sympathy Across a Grieving Landscape
Drawing on his professional kinship and geographical proximity, Governor Mohammed directed his condolences to multiple affected parties:
- The Government and people of Gombe State.
- The management and staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
- The national and Gombe State chapters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
- The families, friends, and direct colleagues of the deceased.
He concluded with prayers for the souls of the departed and for divine strength for the bereaved families to bear the immense loss. He also wished the injured survivors a full and speedy recovery.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the interconnectedness of the media community, whose members work tirelessly to document society’s stories, even at great personal risk.
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
Source: NAN News
