Gombe Govt Releases N14m to Families of Journalists Killed in Road Crash

By Admin

The Gombe State Government has disbursed a total sum of N14 million to the families of seven journalists who died in a fatal motor accident along the Billiri–Kumo road on Monday, December 29, 2025. The journalists were returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague in Kaltungo Local Government Area when the incident occurred.

Each of the affected families received N2 million from the state government as financial assistance to help cover burial and other related expenses.
The gesture forms part of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s resolve to ease the burden of the tragic loss on the families of the deceased journalists.
Speaking during the disbursement exercise on behalf of the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, revealed that the government had earlier provided an initial token of support to families of journalists who sustained injuries immediately after the accident.
He further disclosed that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved full responsibility for the medical treatment and hospital bills of the injured victims who are currently receiving medical care.
Professor Njodi reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration to the welfare of journalists, while expressing profound sadness over the devastating loss to the state and the media profession.
“Our hearts have known no rest since this tragic incident. Although nothing can replace the lives lost or adequately compensate for the pain, His Excellency approved this assistance to help with burial expenses, just as the government has taken full responsibility for the medical bills of those who survived,” he stated.
He emphasized that the funds were not intended as compensation but as a compassionate gesture to support the families during a difficult time.
The SSG also conveyed the Governor’s heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the entire media community, urging the families to find comfort in the will of Allah.
In his remarks, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, expressed deep appreciation to the Gombe State Government, describing the intervention as swift, compassionate, and unprecedented.
He said NUJ members across the country were grateful for the support extended to both the families of the deceased journalists and those currently undergoing medical treatment.
Comrade Alhassan Yahaya also appealed to the Federal Government to accelerate the implementation of life and health insurance schemes for journalists, urging state governments, including Gombe, to adopt the policy once it takes effect.
Similarly, the General Manager of NTA Gombe, Abubakar Adamu, conveyed the appreciation of the Director-General of the NTA, Salihu Dembos, to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his generosity and compassion, noting that the entire NTA family nationwide holds the Gombe State Government in high regard for the gesture.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Barrister Abubakar Ahmed commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the intervention, describing it as unprecedented in the history of the state.
“This support of N2 million to each family will significantly address both immediate and long-term needs of the dependants. We are truly grateful and pray that Allah rewards the Governor and his administration abundantly,” he said.