The Gombe State Government has disbursed N14 million to the families of seven journalists who lost their lives in a motor accident along the Billiri–Kumo Road.
The journalists died on Monday, December 29, 2025, while 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 to assist with burial and other related expenses. The gesture, the government said, was in line with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to alleviating the hardship faced by the affected families.
Speaking during the disbursement exercise on behalf of the governor, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, said the state government had earlier provided an initial token of support to the injured victims immediately after the incident.
Professor Njodi added that the governor had also approved the assumption of full responsibility for the medical treatment and hospital bills of journalists who sustained injuries and are currently receiving care.
He expressed shock over the loss, describing it as a major blow to the 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,” the SSG said.
He stressed that the financial support was not meant as compensation but as a gesture of compassion to support the families during a difficult period.
Professor Njodi also conveyed the governor’s 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 find solace in the will of Allah.
Earlier, the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, commended the Gombe State Government for what he described as a swift, compassionate and unprecedented intervention.
He said journalists across the country were grateful for the support extended to both the families of the deceased and those currently receiving medical treatment.
Comrade Abdullahi also called on the Federal Government to expedite the implementation of life and health insurance schemes for journalists, urging state governments to align with the initiative once it is operational.
Also speaking, 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 NTA family nationwide holds the Gombe State Government in high regard for the gesture.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Barrister Abubakar Ahmed described the intervention 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.