Tragedy strikes Easter procession in Gombe as truck kills 5, injures several others

A peaceful Easter celebration turned tragic in Billiri town, Gombe State, as a runaway truck plowed into a group of Christian faithful participating in an early morning procession, claiming five lives and leaving eight others injured.

The heartbreaking incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Monday along the Gombe-Yola Road, according to the Gombe State Police Command.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed that a heavy-duty truck lost control and rammed into the worshippers as they marched in celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

Among the deceased were two males and three females, whose deaths were confirmed by medical personnel on the scene. The injured victims were swiftly rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, and the General Hospital in Billiri, where they are currently receiving treatment.

“A trailer truck transporting grains from Adamawa State to Gombe lost control due to brake failure while approaching a gathering of Christian faithful who were on procession to celebrate the Easter season in Billiri town. The vehicle veered off the road and tragically ran into the crowd, including some Muslim residents who were observing from the roadside,” he said.

DSP Abdullahi added that police operatives from Billiri Division swiftly responded to the distress, providing immediate rescue efforts and conveying the injured victims to the nearest hospital for emergency medical attention.

Daily Trust reports that in the aftermath of the incident, some aggrieved youths in the area set the vehicle ablaze, looted some shops and subsequently marched to the Billiri Divisional Police Headquarters, throwing stones and other dangerous objects at the officers on duty.

The PPRO said the Divisional Police Officer and several other police personnel sustained varying degrees of injury during the unrest.

“However, normalcy has been restored. The command condemns the act of lawlessness and urges residents to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. Investigations are currently ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Bello Yahaya, commiserates with the families of the deceased and prays for the quick recovery of the injured. He also assures the public that adequate security measures have been put in place in the area to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.

“Members of the public are urged to remain law-abiding, avoid taking the law into their hands, and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the tragic incident.

He directed relevant authorities to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and vowed that those found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

“We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and decisive action will be taken against anyone found wanting in this incident,” the governor said.