Near Tragedy On Abuja-Kaduna Expressway: How 15 Journalists Escaped Death In Fiery Crash

By Abdulrazak Bello Kaura

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: As journalists, we often recount the dangers others face. But on a fateful journey back from the 8th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) In Owerri, Imo State, the story became ours to tell a harrowing encounter with death that explained the fragility of life.

The conference had been a moment of celebration, particularly for me, Abdulrazak Bello Kaura, re-elected unopposed as Secretary for NUJ Zone A (Northwest), but the joy of victory gave way to a harrowing ordeal during our journey home.
Our team of 15 embarked on the return journey to Zamfara, traveling in an 18-seater NUJ bus. We made stops in Delta, Edo and Kogi state while at Kaduna Road in Niger states, was eventually resting for the night before continuing towards Gusau, Zamfara state.

Then, tragedy struck.

At Akilbo village, under Katari Ward, Kaduna State, the calm of our drive was shattered. As I navigated the bus, a petrol tanker parked by the roadside suddenly veered horizontally into the road. The tanker, driven recklessly by a young man in his mid-20s, left no room for escape. In split seconds, I had to make a life-saving decision:

• Colliding with the tanker was certain death.
• Veering into the road barrier or another parked tanker would have endangered both us and the ten bystanders nearby.

Choosing the lesser evil, I steered the bus off the road onto the shoulder. Amid the chaos, a thick metal protruding from the tanker scraped our vehicle, tearing into its body. The impact caused the front tire to detach entirely, sending us crashing into sacks of charcoal.

Miraculously, all 15 of us survived. Five sustained minor injuries, but the outcome could have been far worse.

The driver of the offending tanker fled the scene but was apprehended and brought back to the scene. Thanks to a courageous off-duty police officer, Sergeant Danladi of the Counter-Terrorism Unit, and assistance from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers, soldiers, and local good Samaritans. The tanker, inscribed “MAI KIFI” and carrying petrol en route to Kano, was impounded at the Katari Police Division, alongside our damaged NUJ bus.

This ordeal highlighted the selflessness of many who ensured justice and safety. We extend our profound gratitude to:

• The New National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya
• Immediate past President, Chief Chris Isiguzo
• Zone A Vice President, Muhammad Tukur Umar
• NUJ Kaduna Council Chairperson, Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu among others.

Special thanks go to the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Abdullahi; FRSC Sector Commander, and military officers who acted swiftly and professionally.

Above all, we thank Almighty Allah for sparing our lives. The incident could have turned tragic, but divine intervention saw us through.

The journalists involved in the accident include:

1. Abdulrazak Bello Kaura – Secretary, NUJ Zone A
2. Ibrahim Musa Maizare – Chairman, NUJ Zamfara Council
3. Ibrahim Ahmed Gada – Secretary, NUJ Zamfara Council
4. Sanusi Danbuga Gummi – Chairman, NUJ Zamfara Radio Chapel
5. Ishaq Zaki Tambuwal – Chairman, Correspondents Chapel
6. Surajo Muhammad – Internal Auditor, NUJ Zamfara Council
7. Jamilu Sani Tsafe – Treasurer, NUJ Zamfara Council
8. Sulaiman Isah – Chairman, Ministry of Information Chapel
9. Jamila Musa Kanoma – Chairperson, NAWOJ, Zamfara
10. Bilyaminu Muhammad – Chairman, Legacy Newspaper Chapel
11. Sani Ibrahim Maitaya – Secretary, Radio Nigeria Pride FM Chapel
12. Abdulmalik Khamis – Chairman, Gamji TV/Radio Chapel
13. Fauziyya Ibrahim Dosara – Secretary, Standard Voice TV Chapel
14. Attahiru Ahmed – Nigerian Tribune Correspondent

This incident is a sobering reminder of the precarious nature of our roads and the urgent need for stricter regulations and accountability for reckless drivers.

We remain grateful for the overwhelming support and prayers we received. It is only by Allah’s grace that we live to tell this story.

Abdulrazak Bello Kaura
Development Journalist
Secretary, NUJ Zone A
abdulkaura21@gmail.com