By Ado Salisu
Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, former Special Adviser on Strategy and Information Management to Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, has appealed for enhanced support for the families of seven journalists who died in a recent road accident in the state.
Gara-Gombe made the appeal while reacting to the tragedy that occurred on Dec. 29, 2025, along the Gombe–Yola highway, when the journalists lost their lives while returning from a wedding ceremony in Kaltungo Local Government Area.
The six of the victims were staff of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, while the seventh was an Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The journalists were travelling in a Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) bus when a tyre reportedly burst around Kumo town in Akko Local Government Area, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and plunge into nearby bushes.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe Sector Commander, Mr Samson Kaura, confirmed that seven persons died in the crash, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Government House, Mr Ismaila Misilli, also confirmed the incident, adding that the injured victims were taken to hospitals for treatment.
In response to the incident, the Gombe State Government approved and disbursed N14 million, giving N2 million to each bereaved family as immediate financial support.
Speaking during the disbursement, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, said the gesture reflected Gov. Yahaya’s commitment to easing the burden on the affected families.
Njodi added that the state government had earlier provided support to the injured survivors and assumed full responsibility for their medical treatment.
Reacting, Gara-Gombe commended the state government for the intervention but described the N2 million given to each family as inadequate, considering the responsibilities left behind by the deceased journalists.
He said the victims were breadwinners whose families still had to contend with rent, school fees, food and other daily needs.
According to him, the condition of the widows was particularly disturbing, noting that their future appeared uncertain without stronger institutional support.
Gara-Gombe appealed to the governor to approve an additional N3 million for each family and grant scholarships up to university level for the children of the deceased journalists.
He also urged the state government to provide a new bus for the NUJ Gombe State Council and complete the NUJ Secretariat in honour of the fallen journalists.
He proposed that the completed complex be named “NUJ 7 Secretariat” to immortalise the victims.
On the cause of the accident, Gara-Gombe said official reports were still awaited but noted that available information pointed to a tyre burst.
He recalled facilitating the donation of two buses to the NUJ and the Correspondents’ Chapel during his tenure, adding that earlier requests for new tyres were not followed up.
Gara-Gombe also criticised the absence of a dedicated vehicle for journalists in the governor’s convoy, describing it as contrary to standard practice.
He further called for an investigation into alleged poor welfare packages provided to journalists during the last budget presentation.
As the administration enters a critical phase, Gara-Gombe expressed confidence that the governor would address the concerns in the interest of the media and the bereaved families.