A tragic accident disrupted Easter celebrations in Billiri town, Gombe State, on Monday morning when a truck rammed into a gathering of Christian worshippers, killing five people and injuring 13 others.
READ ALSO: Bus crashes into Christmas procession, injures 22 in Gombe
The spokesperson of the Gombe State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, stating that the truck, which was loaded with grains, suffered a brake failure and veered off the road into the crowd. Among the victims were Christian faithful participating in the procession and some Muslim residents observing from the roadside.
Emergency responders, including police officers, swiftly moved the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. The police have since arrested the truck driver while investigations into the incident continue.
Tensions escalated shortly after the crash as angry youths set the vehicle ablaze, vandalized shops, and attacked police officers with stones. The police condemned the act and appealed to residents to remain calm and allow justice to take its course.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Gombe attributed the crash to excessive speeding. Sector Commander Samson Kaura emphasized the need for motorists to observe the 30km/h speed limit in residential areas to avoid such tragic outcomes.
Reacting to the development, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the incident as “heartbreaking” and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery and ordered a thorough investigation into the accident, pledging that anyone found responsible would face legal consequences.
The governor appealed to residents of Billiri and across Gombe State to remain peaceful and law-abiding. He also directed security agencies to maintain order and collaborate with community leaders to prevent further unrest.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Gombe. During the 2024 Christmas celebration, a bus loaded with rice lost control and crashed into a procession, injuring at least 22 people, although eyewitnesses reported the number to be closer to 40.
