No fewer than 22 were injured on Christmas Day when a Sharon vehicle loaded with bags of rice lost control and rammed into a procession of Christian faithful from the Tumfure community.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred along Bauchi Road, Gombe, around 2 pm.
The procession is a yearly ritual that allows the Christian community to pay homage to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and the Governor of Gombe State as a show of solidarity, peace and love.
The procession, which had parishioners from the Tumfure area, along the Gombe-Bauchi Expressway, was heading to the Emir’s ground where it would team up with other parishioners from other areas, then terminate at Gombe Government House before the accident occurred.
According to the Gombe Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, “The vehicle, with registration number yet unknown, was driven by a yet-to-be-identified person who escaped to an unknown destination after the incident.”
Abdullahi continued, “The victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, and Specialist Hospital for medical attention. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the accident.”
He added, “However, the situation took a violent turn when a mob burnt down the vehicle. The police have launched an investigation into the incident, with the CP directing the Command Motor Traffic Department to carry out a discreet investigation.”
Abdullahi urged the public to remain calm, stressing that efforts were being made to locate and arrest the driver.
“The situation is calm, and procession monitoring and patrolling are ongoing,” he added.
