Five people were injured when a truck crashed into a faithful Christian parade, celebrating Easter in a deadly road accident in the Billy local government area of Gombe State.
The accident took place on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, and celebraters are returning from the mountain climb, symbolizing a meeting with Jesus Christ in Galilee.
“When people (mainly young and children) landed from the hills, a truck with grains was tilled towards Gombe, crushing many people to the D3ath,” one witness said.
According to the gathering, the incident caused anger, with young people setting up trucks to burn and storming into the department police headquarters, demanding the driver to be released.
State Police Commander spokesman DSP Buhari Abdullahi confirmed the incident in a statement.
“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 process to celebrate the Easter season in Billiri town,” the statement read.
“The car drove to the road and tragically crashed into the crowd, including some Muslim residents who were observing from the roadside. Police agents from Billiri Division quickly responded to distress, provided immediate rescue efforts and transported the injured victim to the nearest hospital for emergency medical attention.
“Unfortunately, five (5) individuals, including two men and three women, were confirmed dead by medical staff, while eight other men are currently undergoing treatment and responding positively at federal teaching hospital Gombe and general hospital Billiri.
After the incident, some aggrieved young people in the area burned their vehicles, plundered some shops, and then marched to Billiri’s departmental police headquarters. To express anger, the young men began to throw stones and other dangerous objects at the officers.
“However, the driver has been rescued, with eight suspects resuming the Billyri Police Department for attacking and attempting to burn down the Billyri Police Department and returning to normalcy.
“The order condemns the offence and urges residents to remain calm and allows the law to take action. An investigation is currently underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Police official Gombe State Command CP Bello Yahaya PSC+ sympathizes with the families of the deceased and prays for the quick recovery of the injured.
“He also assured the public that the district has taken appropriate security measures to prevent further decomposition of law and order. Members of the public are urged to remain law-abiding, avoid holding the law in their hands, and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.”
