Nigeria, Dec. 30 -- Seven Nigerian journalists on Monday died in a car crash along Biliri-Kumo road in Gombe State.

The victims were returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague in Kaltungo when the crash occurred.

In a statement issued on Monday, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said he received the news with shock and a heavy heart, describing the incident as a painful tragedy for Gombe State.

"This loss is not only to the families of the deceased but also to the media community and the public service in our state," the governor said.

Those who lost their lives include Zarah Umar, manager of News at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Gombe, and senior special assistant to the Governor in the Office of the First Lady; Manu Kwami, ma...