Christmas: Driver rams into procession, injuring many in Gombe

 

An unidentified driver on Wednesday rammed into a Christmas procession near the Women’s Centre, opposite Orji Estate, along the Gombe-Bauchi expressway in Gombe State, injuring several participants.

The Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident, said the incident was not a deliberate act, dismissing claims that it was a massacre, per Punch report.

“I believe this was an accident. The Sharon vehicle involved was overloaded with bags of grains, including some on the roof. Referring to it as a massacre implies a deliberate act, which it wasn’t,” Abdullahi explained.

While declining to disclose the number of casualties, Abdullahi assured that those injured had been taken to the State Specialist Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“So far, no deaths have been recorded. Officers are stationed at the scene to maintain peace and prevent looting.

“While I cannot confirm the exact number of injured persons, some have been admitted to the Specialist Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe to receive appropriate medical care,” he added.

Meanwhile, Punch quoted an eyewitness, Grace David, a parishioner, as describing the incident as a harrowing event, saying “As we were walking, we heard that a driver had run into the procession, killing and injuring some people.

“We also heard that he was stoned to death on the spot, and those injured were taken to the hospital.”

Another participant, Danladi Jason, reportedly said, “We started from Tumfure and were heading to the Gombe Emir’s palace when the driver hit our group, injuring many of us.”

The procession is said to be an annual tradition in which the Christian community pays homage to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

Participants from Tumfure were on their way to the Emir’s ground when the incident occurred.