Five people have d!ed while eight others sustained injuries when a truck rammed into a procession of Christian faithful celebrating Easter in a fatal road accident in the Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The accident occurred on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, as the celebrants were returning from a mountain climb held to symbolise the meeting with Jesus Christ in Galilee.
“As the people, mostly youths and children, were descending from the mountain, a truck loaded with grains heading towards Gombe ploughed into them, crushing many to d3ath,” an eyewitness said.
It was gathered that the incident sparked outrage, with youths setting the truck ablaze and storming the Divisional Police Headquarters, demanding the release of the driver.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said persons, including two males and three females, were confirmed d3ad by medical personnel.
“The Gombe State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a tragic incident that occurred today, 21st April, 2025, in Billiri Local Government Area involving a heavy-duty Truck. A trailer truck transporting grains coming along Yola Road 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 statement read.
“The vehicle veered off the road and tragically ran into the crowd, including some Muslim residents who were observing from the roadside. 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.
“Regrettably, five (5) persons which include two male and three female were confirmed dead by medical personnel, while eight others are currently receiving treatment and responding positively at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and General hospital Billiri.
“In the aftermath of the incident, some aggrieved youths in the area set the vehicle ablaze, looted some people shops and subsequently marched to the Billiri Divisional Police Headquarters. In an attempt to express their anger, the youths began to throw stones and other dangerous objects at the officers on duty. The Divisional Police Officer and several other police personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries during the unrest.
“However, the driver has been Rescued, eight Suspects arrested for attacking and attempting to burnt down Billiri Police Division and 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 psc+, 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.”
