By Dalena Reporters l January 2, 2026
GOMBE, NIGERIA — The Gombe State Government on Friday, January 2, 2026, presented a total of ₦14 million to the families of seven journalists who tragically lost their lives in a road accident late last month, offering financial relief as relatives prepare for burial arrangements and related expenses.
The journalists died on Monday, December 29, 2025, while returning from a colleague’s wedding in Kaltungo Local Government Area. The fatal crash along a state highway claimed their lives and highlighted the hazards faced by media workers on the road.
At the presentation ceremony in Gombe, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Abubakar Njodi, acting on behalf of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, said each bereaved family received ₦2 million as a token support to assist with burial and related costs. Njodi described the tragedy as deeply distressing for the state and emphasised the journalists’ contributions to public communication and community development.
Njodi acknowledged that while the gesture could not replace the lives lost, the governor hoped it would help cushion the financial burden on the families during their time of grief. “We cannot pay for any life lost,” he said, “but this token is meant to help with burial expenses and show that the government stands with you.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya, expressed gratitude for the state’s prompt support, while also calling attention to the broader need for improved welfare and insurance protections for media practitioners nationwide. He highlighted that similar tragedies in other states underscore the urgent need for safety measures and support structures for journalists who often operate in high-risk environments.
The road crash that claimed the journalists’ lives drew national mourning across the Nigerian media community and renewed discussions about the safety and well-being of journalists travelling for professional duties.