A tragic Easter celebration turned bloody in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State on Monday when a heavy-duty truck lost control and ploughed into a group of Christians on procession, killing five and injuring eight others.
The truck, reportedly conveying grains from Adamawa State to Gombe, suffered a brake failure as it approached the crowd of worshippers celebrating Easter Monday in Billiri town, eyewitnesses said.
The impact was devastating. According to reports, three women and two men died on the spot, while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries. Some Muslim youths observing the event were also caught in the crash.
The horrifying accident sparked immediate outrage in the community. Enraged youths set the truck ablaze along with its contents and launched an attack on the Divisional Police Headquarters in Billiri. Several police officers, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), were injured in the unrest as the mob hurled stones and other objects at the station in protest.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the spokesperson of the Gombe State Police Command, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, said the injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital in Billiri and the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe for medical treatment.
“Police operatives from the Billiri Division swiftly responded to the distress call, provided immediate rescue efforts, and conveyed the victims to the nearest hospitals,” the statement read.
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He described the mob action as an “act of lawlessness” and urged residents to remain calm and allow the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Police Command also assured the public that security has been reinforced in the area to prevent further escalation.
This tragedy comes just months after a similar incident in Gombe metropolis during the Christmas festivities, when a commercial Sharon bus lost control and injured at least 22 Christian youths in a procession.
As investigations continue, the Billiri community mourns yet another painful reminder of the dangers posed by road accidents and poor vehicle maintenance during mass gatherings.
