Tears, Fond Memories As Families, Colleagues Mourn Loss Of 7 Gombe Journalists

The silence that followed the laughter of celebration has turned into grief for families, colleagues and an entire media community in Gombe State.

Seven journalists travelling from a colleague’s wedding in Kaltungo died on Monday in a fatal road crash along the Gombe–Billiri Road, turning a joyful trip into a tragic moment in Gombe’s media history.

The accident involved a vehicle belonging to the Nigerian Union of Journalists, carrying 11 journalists, mostly employees of the National Television Authority (NTA).

Funeral prayers for four of the victims were held on 30 December 2025 at the Gombe Emir’s Palace, with Governor Inuwa Yahaya in attendance.

Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps in Gombe said a burst rear tyre caused the driver to lose control, forcing the vehicle to somersault into the bush, killing seven people and injuring three others.

LEADERSHIP visited the families of the deceased.

The Departed Professionals

Isa Lawan

He was a film editor with NTA Gombe. Colleagues describe Isa as quiet but committed, a man who preferred to let his work speak for him. At his home, however, his silence has turned into a painful absence.

He left behind a wife and two children — a boy and a girl — who watched their mother weep for a father who promised to return but never did.

His nephew, Sulaiman Musa, fondly known as Arzoo, the Special Assistant to the Gombe State Governor on Media, described him as a dedicated professional who had served humanity through journalism for many years.

Arzoo said that for the past seven years, his late uncle had worked with NTA, believing that information could change lives. Today, Isa’s home is filled with mourners.

Usman Haruna Kwami

Popularly called Manu, he was the Manager of Administration at NTA Gombe, enjoying the peak of his service before death struck.

His cousin, Alhaji Sani, Majidadin Kwami, described him as kind, friendly and jovial — a man whose laughter filled the air even before his presence was noticed.

Manu was a father of six — four boys and two girls — now forced to grow up without the man many described as their family’s anchor.

Judith Kutus

Judith was an Information Officer with the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). At her family compound, tears flowed freely as her parents, husband and relatives struggled to comprehend the loss.

Judith’s father, Dr Charles Jaure Sabe, stood amid the mourning with quiet faith. “God doesn’t make mistakes,” he said, his voice steady despite the grief. “Judith was humble, and her humility honoured us.”

Her husband, Wuleng Moses, recalled their last conversation just days before the trip. “We talked about character and legacy,” he said. Now she has left a legacy that Mr Moses must one day explain to their daughter.

Judith was 50. She left behind her parents, husband and a young girl who will grow up knowing her mother through stories and photographs.

The Chairman of the NUJ in Gombe, Mu’azu, said her death cut deeply because of how close she was to her colleagues. “We feel her death more than you,” he said softly. “We were always with her.”

Aminu Mohammed

Popularly called Ustaz, Aminu was a senior driver with NTA, a man colleagues trusted implicitly. Ironically, Aminu was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. He and one of the survivors had not travelled in the bus initially but joined it on the return journey.

He left behind a wife and seven children — four daughters and three sons. One of his sons, Rilwan, who remained steadfast at the mourning scene, must now grow up bearing the weight of a trusted father’s absence.

Brothers, uncles and in-laws all converged at his residence.

The Gombe NUJ Chairman, Mu’azu, said in a heavy voice, “We spent about 20 years together.”

The General Manager of NTA Gombe described Aminu as an employee who solved problems quietly and faithfully.

Musa Jibrin Tabra

He was a retired Manager of News at NTA, having retired in the same year he died. Out of solidarity, he followed his former colleagues, unaware that it would be his final journey.

His younger brother, Haruna Jibrin, said, “His life was full of humility.”

Musa left behind a wife and four children — two boys and two girls — who had hoped retirement would give them more time together, but fate had other plans.

Hajiya Zarah Umar

She was the Manager of News at NTA Gombe and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor in the Office of the First Lady.

She was buried in Kano, where her husband works. Neighbours in Gombe described her as jovial, hardworking and a woman who belonged to everyone.

Zarah left behind her husband, children, two co-wives and a wide circle of relatives who say her warmth made every gathering lively.

Adams Danladi

He was an employee of StarTimes in Gombe. His death tells the story of a young dream cut short. He was preparing to get married, family members said.

Instead of a wedding celebration, his family gathered in Balanga for his burial. Relatives described him as compassionate and eager to build a life rooted in responsibility and love.

The Bride

For Belgum Maisamari, the bride whose wedding brought the late journalists together, the joy of her celebration has been eclipsed by trauma.

Belgum, herself an employee of NTA, said she has not been the same since the incident. “I have never been myself after that day, to be honest,” she told LEADERSHIP.

She recalled her final moments with some of the colleagues who would later die. “When I was dancing, they were spraying money and I was thanking them. We were all jovial.”

According to her, Hajiya Zarah Umar and Isa Lawan kept encouraging her, while Judith Kutus — whom she called ‘our girl’ — told her they would meet and talk properly when she returned to Gombe.

“That was the last thing she said to me,” Belgum added. “All I heard afterwards was the sad news.”

The Sympathisers

Senior professionals, including the national NUJ leadership, general managers of NTA stations from several states and government officials, visited the families to offer their condolences.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the crash as a heartbreaking tragedy that plunged the state into mourning. He announced financial support of N2 million for each bereaved family and said the government would cover the medical bills of the injured survivors.

Seven voices have now been silenced, seven families altered forever. What began as a journey of joy ended as a collective wound.

At each household, families recounted final moments, unfulfilled plans and the painful shock of losing loved ones who left home promising to return, but never did.