A truck carrying grains travelling along Yola Road to Gombe lost control owing to brake failure as it approached a group of Christian faithful participating in an Easter parade in Billiri town, resulting in five fatalities and eight injuries, according to the Gombe State Police Command.
According to a statement released by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Buhari Abdullahi on Monday, the car swerved off the road and tragically collided with the gathering, which included several Muslim locals who were watching from the side of the road.
“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.
The PPRO says that several local youngsters who were upset over the event lit the car on fire, stole from some people’s stores, and then 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.
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While investigations are underway to determine the entire facts behind the event, the Command, through its spokeswoman, denounced the act of lawlessness and advised locals to maintain composure and let the law do its thing.
In addition to offering condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured, CP Bello Yahaya, the Commissioner of Police for Gombe State Command, reassured the public that sufficient security measures had been implemented in the area to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
