Five persons were reportedly killed at Billiri community in Gombe State as a truck rammed into Easter worshippers returning from prayers on Monday.
The accident occurred around 8:00 a.m. as Christian worshippers were returning from a mountain in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The faithful had gathered to commemorate the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus Christ, symbolizing His meeting with disciples in Galilee.
A truck loaded with grains reportedly lost control while descending the same mountain route and ploughed into the crowd, crushing many to death and injuring several others.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were among the last group of worshippers making their way down the slope when the incident happened.
The collision led to panic and chaos in the area, prompting residents and sympathisers to react angrily.
In the tense aftermath, angry youths set the truck ablaze and stormed the Divisional Police Headquarters in Billiri, demanding the release of the truck driver who was believed to be in police custody.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Gombe State, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the incident and stated that the timely intervention of security operatives prevented the situation from escalating further.
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He noted that the driver, who was nearly lynched by the mob, was rescued by the police and taken into custody for prosecution.
“The truck hit some persons who were part of the last batch returning from the Easter prayer ground. The truck was immediately set ablaze by residents and the driver almost lost his life, but our officers intervened quickly,” he said.
He added that the area is now calm and vehicular movement has resumed, urging residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
The acting chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the LGA, Rev Ezra Idi, organisers of the procession said that the five dead bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
He explained further that there is uncertainty following the arrest of many protesting youths by the Police, adding that the leadership of CAN was about meeting to analyse the incident before making any statement.
However, a statement sent to newsmen by the Police Public Relations Officer, Gombe State Police Command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, states: “In the aftermath of the incident, some aggrieved youths in the area set the vehicle ablaze 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,” Buhari revealed.
He said, 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 as well as the number of arrests made.
Part of the Police statement reads: “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.”
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