A tragic accident during an Easter procession in Billiri Local Government Area, Gombe State, has claimed the lives of five individuals and left eight others seriously injured, igniting widespread outrage and unrest within the community.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, when a trailer truck reportedly transporting grains from Adamawa State to Gombe lost control and rammed into a crowd of worshippers taking part in the annual Christian celebration.

According to the Gombe State Police Command, preliminary investigations suggest that the truck experienced brake failure, veered off the road, and collided with the procession in Billiri town, a predominantly Christian community.

A disturbing video of the scene, shared by social media user @ZariyiYusufu on X (formerly Twitter), shows the immediate aftermath, with bodies scattered and panicked bystanders rushing to aid the wounded. Some Muslim residents who were nearby were also reportedly caught in the chaos.

In a statement released on Monday, the Gombe State Police spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed that five individuals—two men and three women—lost their lives in the incident. The injured were promptly transported to both the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, and the General Hospital in Billiri for treatment. Medical reports indicate that all survivors are in stable condition.

Shortly after the accident, the atmosphere in Billiri turned hostile. Eyewitnesses reported that enraged youths set the trailer ablaze, attacked nearby shops, and stormed the Billiri Divisional Police Headquarters in protest. Several officers, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), were injured after being pelted with stones and makeshift weapons.

Police operatives quickly mobilized to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. Additional security personnel were deployed to restore calm and maintain law and order in the area.

In a firm response, the Gombe State Police Command condemned the retaliatory violence, describing it as “unlawful and counterproductive.” Commissioner of Police (CP) Bello Yahaya extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and urged community members to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

“The Command condemns this act of lawlessness and urges residents to remain calm and allow justice to take its course,” the statement read.

Investigations into the cause of the accident and the events that followed are ongoing.

Concerns are mounting over the growing pattern of fatal accidents during religious events in Gombe State, with multiple tragic incidents reported in recent years. Social media users, religious leaders, and community stakeholders have expressed deep alarm, urging authorities to act decisively.

This is not an isolated event. On December 25, 2024, a truck rammed into a Christmas procession in the Tumfure area of Gombe, killing 22 worshippers and leaving several others injured. The Christmas Day tragedy bore chilling similarities to a previous incident that occurred in 2019, when a speeding vehicle plowed into an Easter procession, killing 31 Christians in Billiri.

Civic groups and human rights advocates are urging both the Gombe State Government and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to implement stricter vehicle inspection protocols, particularly for long-haul trucks traveling through residential zones.

In a televised interview on Monday, an official of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gombe described the event as “an avoidable tragedy that speaks to institutional failure and lack of preparedness.”

The Gombe State Police Command has assured residents that all those responsible—whether through negligence or violence—will be brought to justice.

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There is disquiet at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Koko, Delta State, following an incident in which a female police constable, Uroupa Stella, was reportedly assaulted by a woman identified as Janet — the lover of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mathias Ajiboyide.

According to eyewitnesses, Janet physically attacked Constable Stella and tore her uniform during a confrontation that unfolded in the division’s headquarters. The incident has sparked serious concerns over discipline, abuse of influence, and impartiality within the force.

Despite the public nature of the assault, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Olaogun Lukman allegedly failed to take any meaningful action against the assailant.

Sources within the division have suggested that his reluctance may be connected to a perceived tribal affiliation with the retired ASP, a claim that has attracted criticism from officers and civilians who witnessed the event.

Recounting the incident, Constable Stella said she stepped out of the station’s counter area after hearing a commotion and discovered Janet in a heated altercation with her (Stella’s) sister.

“I demanded to know what the issue was and why she was fighting my sister. She immediately grabbed my uniform and started tearing it apart,” Stella stated.

When asked how the case was handled, she explained: “An ASP was directed by the DPO to handle it, but nothing was done. The woman was only held briefly — for about five minutes — behind the counter and then allowed to leave. She’s been walking free ever since.”

Stella noted that she has since escalated the matter to the state police command headquarters in Asaba.

Public calls for a thorough investigation are growing, with many demanding justice for the assaulted officer and accountability for any abuse of power or tribal bias.

As of now, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Efforts to reach the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, were unsuccessful as he failed to respond to multiple calls and a text message sent for confirmation.

Anambra State Police Command has arrested two kidnap suspects and recovered various rifles.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer( PPRO), SP Toochukwu Ikenga, said information extracted during the interrogation of the suspects led to the recovery of two additional AK47 rifles and two empty AK47 magazines.

Ikenga said,” police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad/Anti-kidnapping Unit, on April 13,2025, arrested Celestine Onuyia, 52, and Jacinta Okolo Udenka,45, all residents of Oba, Idemili South Local Government and during a search in their house, recovered one pump action gun, seven single barrel dane guns and 28 live cartridges.

Similarly, the operatives acting on information earlier extracted from the suspects during their interrogation on April 20, 2025, recovered two more AK47 rifles and two empty magazines in their criminal hideout at Omasi, Ayamelum LGA.

“The operatives have since been investigating a kidnap incident that occurred at Nnewi in July, 2024, where a ransom of #17,500,000 was collected before the victim was released from their captivity.

“Information also revealed that Celestine is allegedly a native doctor who provides criminal charms and keeps the weapons for the gang. At the same time, Jacinta gets information about their victims before they execute their evil plans.

“ Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu, assures of the Command’s willingness to follow cases up to a logical conclusion until the suspects are arrested. This measure is critical to the ongoing efforts to prevent further criminal activities in the State.”