The Gombe State Government has disbursed a total of N14 million to the families of seven journalists who lost their lives in a tragic motor accident along the Billiri–Kumo Road.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025, as the journalists were returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague in Kaltungo Local Government Area of the state.
Each of the bereaved families received N2 million as financial support from the state government to help offset burial and other related expenses. The intervention, according to the government, is in line with the commitment of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to cushion the devastating impact of the loss on the affected families.
Presiding over the disbursement exercise on behalf of the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, disclosed that an initial token of support had earlier been extended to the families of journalists who sustained injuries immediately after the incident.
Professor Njodi further revealed that the Governor has assumed full responsibility for the medical treatment and hospital bills of the injured journalists who are currently receiving care in various health facilities.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, the SSG reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the welfare of journalists, describing the incident as a monumental loss to both Gombe State and the media profession.
“Our hearts have been restless since this tragic incident. While we cannot bring back the departed or fully compensate for the loss, His Excellency has approved this support to assist with burial expenses, just as the government has taken full responsibility for the medical bills of those who survived,” Professor Njodi said.
He emphasized that the funds were not compensation, but a gesture of compassion aimed at supporting the families during a very difficult time. He also conveyed the Governor’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the management of the National Television Authority (NTA), and the entire media community, urging them to take solace in the will of Allah.
Speaking at the event, the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, expressed profound appreciation to the Gombe State Government, describing the intervention as swift, compassionate, and unprecedented.
He noted that NUJ members nationwide were deeply grateful for the support extended to both the families of the deceased and journalists currently receiving medical treatment. He also called on the Federal Government to fast-track the implementation of life and health insurance schemes for journalists, urging state governments, including Gombe, to key into the policy once implemented.
Also speaking, the General Manager of NTA Gombe, Abubakar Adamu, conveyed the appreciation of the Director-General of NTA, Salihu Dembos, to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his generosity and compassion. He stated that the entire NTA family across the country holds the Gombe State Government in high esteem for the gesture.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Barrister Abubakar Ahmed commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the intervention, describing it as the first of its kind in the history of the state.
“This support of N2 million to each family will go a long way in addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of the dependants. We truly lack words to express our gratitude. May Allah reward the Governor and his administration abundantly,” he said.
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