A trailer conveying grains on Monday crushed five persons to death and injured eight others during an Easter procession in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The Gombe State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, on Monday in Gombe.
The statement said the trailer, which was travelling from Yola to Gombe, lost control due to brake failure and ran into a crowd of Christian faithful holding an Easter procession.
It said some Muslim residents who were observing from the roadside were also affected.
“Police operatives from Billiri Division responded swiftly, providing immediate rescue and conveying injured victims to hospitals for medical attention.
“Sadly, five persons — two males and three females — were confirmed dead by medical personnel, while eight others are receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, and General Hospital, Billiri,” the statement said.
The incident triggered a violent reaction from some aggrieved youths who set the truck ablaze, looted shops and stormed the Divisional Police Headquarters in Billiri.
“In an attempt to express their anger, the youths began throwing stones and dangerous objects at officers on duty.
“The Divisional Police Officer and several personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries during the unrest,” it added.
According to the Command, eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on the police facility, while the driver of the trailer has been rescued.
The Command assured that normalcy has been restored in the area, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Yahaya, commiserated with families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
He urged residents to remain law-abiding and avoid taking the law into their hands.
“Members of the public are advised to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station,” the statement added.
