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Gombe: Truck Rams into Easter Procession, Kills 5, Sparks Riot + Video

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

Watch video below:
https://youtu.be/aWElVIQbWd8

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Lagos govt to prosecute 74 for environmental violations

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.

The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.

Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.

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He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.

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Police arraign 30 for alleged murder, cultism in Edo

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The police in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday arraigned 30 persons before a Benin High Court for alleged murder and cultism.

The 30 persons are standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, cultism, armed attack, and belonging to unlawful society.

The defendants were arraigned in three batches with the same seven-count charges.

The defendants arraigned in the first batch are Paul Elekun 25, Muetinyan Osagbovo 25, Opkala Bernice 22, Nnajiofor Francis 23, Imuetinyan Osanogara 21, Christian Augustine 22, Aniyea Choice 33, Saturday Umukoro 20.

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The second batch are Gmogbo Ufoha 22, Emoh Emmanuel 29, Olavwola Gchinamen 32, Eriator Osaihon 44, Isaac Michael 32, Festus Arihian 37, Tedius Jude 25., Emmanuel Okhie 29, Daniel Oyakhilome 29, John Umoren 28.

The third batch are Ogoigbe Richard 33, Omokwua Cliton 32, Solomo Peisi (No specific age), Ezebuke Bright 29, Okoloagu Chicks 45, Ajuja Frank 25, Onemu Oghenekome Michael 19,
Jerry Lazarus 27, Patrick Arneka Joshua 22, Daniel James 28, Moses Peter 37, and Ewalefoh Prosper Osamudiahen 20.

The Prosecutor, Polycarp Odion told the court that the defendants and others, allegedly on May 1, did conspire to commit a felony.

Mr Odion alleged that on the same day within Benin City, without lawful authority, the defendants allegedly carried out armed attacks against a section of residents of the Benin metropolis.

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The defendants were also alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit murder.

According to the prosecutor, the defendants and others at large, at different dates within Benin City did conspire and belong to an unlawful society.

He said the offences contravened Sections 412 (2), 64, and 247 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the Correctional Centre for an initial 14 days, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

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Counsels to the defendants prayed the court to grant them bail as they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

According to the counsels, the defendants were picked in indifferent areas in the metropolis, which includes Ugbowo axis, Sapele road axis and Garrick Memorial College axis.

They said some were picked while they were eating, some inside the bus on their way home from work, some were arrested while driving and their vehicles impounded.

They said that the judge has the right to grant the defendants bail, urging the judge to exercise the same to grant the defendants’ bail.

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They added that they all have reasonable surety to stand for their bail and ensure their presence in court on an adjournment date.

Among the defence counsels for the defendants who spoke were a former Chief Magistrate, Peter Asemota (retd), Ede Asenoguan, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin City Branch, Paul Badaki, J.E. Igunma, A.D.Ajeka, O.J.Odi, E.B.KiKa, among others.

The presiding judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin, however granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with one surety in like sum.

Mr Azeigbemhin said both the defendants and surety must produce their NIN card, valid ID cards, and three passport photographs each.

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He said that the surety must be a senior staff member of a recognised establishment.

He added that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and all information must be verified by the court registrar.

He then adjourned the case until May 19.

(NAN)

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Fire guts recycling facility in Lagos

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A fire outbreak on Monday afternoon engulfed a recycling facility operated by Jincheng Company at 11B Eric Moore Road, Surulere, Lagos.

The fire, reported at about 12:15 p.m., drew a prompt response from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters from the Sari-Iganmu Fire Station were the first on the scene, but the intensity of the blaze required reinforcements from the Ajegunle Fire Crew.

Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, stated that the fire began at the rear of the main building and was suspected to have been caused by negligence.

The affected section reportedly housed large quantities of cardboard materials used in the recycling process.

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Although the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, the facility—which spans three acres—suffered significant losses.

“No casualties have been reported so far,” Adeseye confirmed, adding that the situation was under control by the time of reporting, with damping down operations still ongoing.”

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