Black Easter: Truck crushes five, injures eight in Gombe

The Gombe State Police Command reported that five people died and eight others were injured when a truck transporting grains coming along Yola Road to Gombe lost control due to brake failure while approaching a gathering of Christian faithful on a procession to celebrate the Easter in Billiri town.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, in a statement disclosed this on Monday, indicating that 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 (8) others are currently receiving treatment and responding positively at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and General hospital Billiri”, he said.

According to the PPRO, 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 (8) suspects arrested for attacking and attempting to burnt down the Billiri Police Division and normalcy has been restored”, he added.

The Command through its spokesperson condemned the act of lawlessness and urged residents to remain calm and allow the law to take its course as investigations are currently ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

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