By: Bayero Ade
A tragic accident on Wednesday disrupted a Christmas procession in Gombe State, leaving several people injured after an unidentified driver crashed into the participants near the Women’s Centre, opposite Orji Estate, along the Gombe-Bauchi expressway.
The procession, a long-standing tradition where the Christian community pays homage to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, was suddenly interrupted when a vehicle collided with the crowd. The participants, traveling from Tumfure to the Emir’s palace, were caught off guard by the unexpected incident.
Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, clarified that the incident was an accident, not a massacre, as some initially feared. He explained that the vehicle involved, a Sharon model, was overloaded with bags of grains on its roof. “This was an accident, not a deliberate attack,” Abdullahi stated.
Although the police spokesperson did not provide the exact number of casualties, he confirmed that the injured had been taken to the State Specialist Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe for treatment. He assured the public that no fatalities had been reported. “Some people have been admitted for medical care, and we have deployed officers to maintain order and prevent any looting,” he added.
Eyewitnesses, however, described a chaotic scene, with some initially claiming that there had been fatalities. Grace David, a parishioner, shared her experience, saying, “While walking, we heard that a driver rammed into our procession. Some people were killed, and others were injured. We also heard that the driver was stoned to death immediately afterward.”
Danladi Jason, another participant, recalled the moment the tragedy struck, saying, “We had just started our journey from Tumfure to the Gombe Emir’s palace when the driver hit our group, injuring many of us.”
Authorities have assured the public that efforts are underway to maintain peace and provide support to the victims.
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