By Charles Pemu 
The Nigerian media community was thrown into deep mourning following a horrific road accident that claimed the lives of seven members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). The incident, which occurred on Saturday along the Gombe–Yola highway, involved a branded bus belonging to the Gombe State Council of the Union.
The fatal crash took place shortly after the delegation departed Gombe, heading toward Yola, Adamawa State. It was gathered that the journalists were returning from a wedding ceremony in the Gombe South Senatorial District, where they had gathered to celebrate the union of a colleague employed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Photographs from the scene reveal the severity of the lone accident, showing the NUJ vehicle completely mangled. While seven professionals were confirmed dead on the spot, four others who survived the impact sustained various degrees of injuries. The survivors were quickly evacuated to a nearby medical facility, where they are currently receiving emergency care.
While authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the exact cause of the crash, the news has sent shockwaves through the journalism profession across the country. Colleagues have described the event as a “devastating blow” to the press corps, noting that the victims were dedicated individuals who lost their lives while participating in a traditional act of professional solidarity.
As of Sunday morning, the identities of the deceased are being withheld pending formal notification of their families. The Gombe State Council of the NUJ is expected to provide further updates as the media community begins to process this monumental loss.