By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Fourteen Journalists drawn from various media organisations in Bauchi State were on Friday involved in a ghastly automobile crash while on convoy of North-East Development Commission (NEDC), which commissioned and handed over some projects to the State Government.
The Journalists were variously injured in the crash along the Duguri-Yashi Highway while on the way to the next project site.
The injured were immediately taken to Yelwan Duguri Hospital for treatment.
Government officials, including the Commissioner of Information, Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chairman NUJ Bauchi State, and Director Media Government House, visited the cottage hospital where they received first aid attention to assess the situation.
Ambulances were mobilized to transfer the most injured to Bauchi Teaching Hospital, while those with minor injuries joined the government delegation’s vehicles to the hospital.
All 14 patients have been moved from Yelwan Duguri Cottage Hospital, with no loss of life reported for further medical attention at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Government has formally informed the general public of a regrettable road crash involving Journalists from the State, including correspondents of Channels Television, African Independent Television (AIT), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), as well as other members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and Staff of the Bauchi State Television Authority ( BATV ) and the Bauchi Radio corporation (BRC ).
The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday along the Bauchi–Yelwan Duguri Road while the Journalists were on an official assignment of NEDC projects commissioning by the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development and the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
The Government stated that, “Though the crash was severe, we give thanks to Almighty Allah that no life was loss . The affected Journalists were swiftly evacuated to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where they are currently receiving comprehensive medical care.”
While some of the victims sustained fractures and bodily bruises, medical authorities have confirmed that they are responding to treatment.
The State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on behalf of the government and the people of Bauchi State deeply sympathized with the injured Journalists, their families, colleagues, and respective media organizations.
He stressed that, “We are profoundly concerned by this unfortunate incident and acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices Journalists make in the discharge of their professional responsibilities, often under challenging conditions “.
The Bauchi State Government assured their families and respective media organizations that it is closely monitoring the situation and is working hand in hand with the hospital management to ensure that the victims received the best possible medical attention and support until full recovery is achieved.
It added, “We pray for the speedy healing and complete recovery of the injured journalists and prayed that the Almighty Allah will grant them strength during this difficult time, as contained in a statement signed by Mukhtar Gidado Mnipr
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor.
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