SEVEN GOMBE NUJ MEMBERS, NTA STAFF KILLED IN GHASTLY CAR ACCIDENT, 4 OTHERS HOSPITALIZED

A tragic auto crash has claimed the lives of seven staff members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigeria Television Authority in Gombe State. The fatal incident occurred on Monday as the group was returning to Gombe after attending a wedding ceremony in Yola, Adamawa State.

According to reports, the tyre of the NUJ bus burst around Kumo in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State. This caused the vehicle to spiral out of control and veer into adjoining bushes.

The deceased have been identified as Manu Haruna Kwami, Manager of Administration; Zarah Umar, Manager of News; an editor identified only as Isa; and Musa Tabra, a retired Manager of News. Also killed were Judith, an Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board; the bus driver, Aminu; and Adams, a staff member of Startimes.

Four survivors sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving medical attention at a hospital in Gombe. They are Emmanuel Akila, Steven Doddo, Nina, and Jonathan Bara.

The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a morgue in Gombe. The Gombe State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists is expected to release an official statement regarding the devastating loss. A source within the union described the event as a “colossal loss to the journalism community in Gombe and a black day for us all.” The community is mourning the sudden death of these media professionals.