By Peter Uwumarogie | Gombe, Dec. 29, 2025
A somber mood has enveloped the media and civil service community in Gombe State following a devastating road accident that claimed seven lives, five of whom were staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gombe. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the tragic incident, which occurred on the Billiri-Gombe Road in the Ladongor community.
The Sector Commander, Mr. Samson Kaura, provided details to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stating that the lone crash involved a Toyota Hummer bus with registration number NUJ-01. The accident happened around 5:30 pm on Monday, with preliminary investigation pointing to a catastrophic tyre burst as the cause.
The human cost of the crash is profound. Of the seven deceased, five were dedicated staff from NTA Gombe. It has been reported that among them were the station’s Manager of Administration and Manager of News, highlighting the significant loss of institutional knowledge and leadership. The victims were returning from a joyous occasion—the wedding ceremony of a colleague in Kaltungo town—a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike.
Four other passengers sustained injuries of varying severity. FRSC rescue teams acted swiftly, initially evacuating victims to Amana Clinic and General Hospital in Billiri before referring them to the Specialist Hospital in Gombe for more advanced care. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Specialist Hospital’s mortuary.
In the wake of the crash, Sector Commander Kaura issued a critical public safety advisory, directly linking the accident to tyre failure. He urged all motorists to proactively check the expiration dates of their tyres, emphasizing that expired tyres pose a constant, severe risk of bursting. This advice goes beyond mere tread depth checks, pointing to a often-overlooked factor: the structural integrity of rubber degrades over time, regardless of use.
The commander also extended heartfelt sympathies to the management of NTA Gombe and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) family in the state. This loss is not just a statistical tragedy but a deep blow to a close-knit professional community, affecting news operations, administrative functions, and countless personal relationships.
This incident serves as a grim, urgent lesson for all road users. It underscores the non-negotiable importance of comprehensive vehicle maintenance, particularly tyre health. A tyre burst at high speed can lead to a complete loss of control, especially in larger vehicles like buses. Motorists are reminded to:
– Regularly inspect tyres for cracks, bulges, and tread wear.
– Check and heed the four-digit DOT manufacturing date code on the tyre sidewall (e.g., “3523” means the 35th week of 2023). Tyres are generally considered to have a safe service life of 6-10 years from this date.
– Ensure tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, as both underinflation and overinflation can contribute to failure.
– Avoid overloading vehicles, which puts excessive stress on tyres.
As Gombe mourns, the legacy of the departed NTA staff and the other victims must include a renewed collective commitment to road safety, turning profound grief into a catalyst for preventing future heartbreak.
Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali | Source: NAN
