A routine assignment turned sour on Friday as journalists covering the commissioning of North East Development Commission (NEDC) projects in Bauchi State were involved in a road accident that left several reporters injured.
The journalists, drawn from different media organisations, were part of an NEDC delegation led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, for 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.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that some of the journalists sustained serious injuries.
They were rushed to Yelwan Duguri Hospital for immediate medical attention before being referred to the Bauchi General Hospital for further treatment.
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Those affected include journalists from Channels Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), ARISE News, as well as members of the Correspondents’ Chapel from other media houses covering the event.
The delegation included top government officials such as the Minister of State for Regional Development, the Chairman and Managing Director of the NEDC, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, and other officials.
According to the source who confirmed the incident said the vehicle involved in the crash was one assigned to convey journalists.
He also disclosed that several pieces of professional equipment, including cameras, were damaged in the incident.
Preliminary reports suggest the accident happened when the driver attempted to overtake a convoy of vehicles.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
