By Usman Walin Gungura, Bauchi
Not fewer than 14 journalists in a convoy, from various media organisations covering the commissioning of projects by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in Bauchi were involved in a ghastly motor accident on Friday, February 6, 2026.
The journalists were part of the NEDC delegation led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, during the handover of completed projects to the Bauchi State Government.
The accident occurred along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area, shortly after the delegation commissioned a Government Secondary School (GSS) project in Yelwan Duguri, the hometown of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
The victims numbering 13 journalists and the bus driver conveying them sustained serious injuries and were immediately rushed to the Yelwan Duguri Cottage Hospital for emergency attention.
The victims under the directive of the state Governor, Bala Mohammed were immediately transferred to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for specialised medical care.
Those injured include a reporter from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Guardian correspondent in Bauchi, The Nation correspondent, and that of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Others include cameramen and reporters of Channels TV, Arise TV, AIT, two reporters from Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) BATV, and an online media reporter as well as the vehicle’s driver.
Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, has led the Minister, NEDC management, and board members on a sympathy visit to the injured journalists at the hospital. He directed that they be moved to ATBUTH to ensure they received advanced medical attention.
Rescue efforts were carried out by some journalists conveyed in another bus, NEDC officials, and other sympathisers who assisted in evacuating the victims from the accident scene.
Meanwhile, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammad has expressed sympathy for the injured journalists, their families, colleagues, and media organisations.
The governor’s message was conveyed in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, Jarman Alkaleri.
According to the statement, the Bauchi State Government was deeply concerned about the incident and acknowledged the risks and sacrifices journalists often make in the course of their professional duties.
“We are profoundly concerned by this unfortunate incident and acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices journalists make in the discharge of their professional responsibilities,” the statement read.
Gidado noted that although the accident was severe, no life was lost, adding that some of the victims sustained fractures and bodily injuries but were responding positively to treatment based on medical reports.
The governor assured that the state government was closely monitoring the situation and working with hospital authorities to ensure the injured journalists receive the best possible care until full recovery.
He concluded by praying for their speedy healing and strength during the recovery period.
