By John Joseph
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A devastating incident occurred on Wednesday in Gombe State, Nigeria, when an unidentified driver rammed into a Christmas procession near the Women’s Centre, opposite Orji Estate, along the Gombe-Bauchi expressway. The incident left several participants injured, with some eyewitnesses claiming that the driver was stoned to death on the spot.
The Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, dismissing claims that it was a deliberate act or massacre. “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 exact 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. Some of the injured persons have been admitted to the Specialist Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe to receive appropriate medical care,” he added.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as a harrowing event. Grace David, a parishioner, said, “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 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.
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