By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
SEVERAL journalists in Bauchi State were injured on Friday in a road accident while covering the commissioning of projects by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.
The journalists were travelling as 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 had commissioned a Government Secondary School (GSS) project in Yelwan Duguri.
Reports indicate that the crash happened when the driver of one of the vehicles attempted to overtake a convoy.
Some of the journalists sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Yelwan Duguri Hospital for immediate medical attention before being transferred to the Bauchi General Hospital for further treatment.
Those affected include reporters and crew members from Channels Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), ARISE News, as well as other members of the Correspondents’ Chapel from various media organisations covering the event.
Members of the delegation included the Minister of State for Regional Development, the Chairman and Managing Director of the NEDC, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State and other government officials.
Confirming the incident, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said members of its Bauchi State Council were involved in the accident.
A statement from the Office of the National President of the NUJ disclosed that although no life was lost, 14 journalists sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical care in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The union appealed to members to remember the injured colleagues in their prayers for quick recovery.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NUJ Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, has expressed sympathy with the affected journalists.
In a statement issued by the council’s Secretary, Oryiman Gwaza, the chairman offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured members of the Bauchi Council and prayed for the protection of journalists nationwide.
He also commended the NUJ National President for his prompt and swift response to issues affecting journalists across the country.
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