SEVERAL INJURED AS DRIVER RAMS INTO CROWD DURING XMAS PROCESSION IN GOMBE

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The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed a tragic accident during a Christmas procession on Wednesday, when an unidentified driver drove into participants, leaving many injured near the Women’s Centre, opposite Orji Estate, along the Gombe-Bauchi expressway.

The procession, an annual tradition in which the Christian community pays homage to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, was disrupted as the vehicle struck the crowd. Participants from Tumfure were on their way to the Emir’s ground when the incident occurred.

Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, clarified the incident, refuting claims that it was a massacre.

“I think what happened was an accident. The Sharon vehicle involved was overloaded with grains. On the rooftop, it had bags of grains. To say it’s a massacre means it was a deliberate attempt,” Abdullahi stated.

While declining to specify casualties, Abdullahi assured that those injured had been taken to the State Specialist Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“Nobody has died so far. My colleagues are stationed there to ensure peace is restored and there is no looting. I don’t know the exact number of injured persons, but some have been admitted to the Specialist Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe to ensure they get the best medical attention,” he added.

Eyewitnesses recounted the chaotic scene, with some claiming fatalities.

Grace David, one of the parishioners, shared the harrowing experience, saying, “As we were coming, we heard that a driver ran into our procession. He killed and injured some people. We also heard that he was stoned to death immediately, and those who sustained injuries were taken to the hospital.”

Another participant, Danladi Jason, narrated the procession’s route and the abrupt incident.

He said, “We started the journey from Tumfure to the Gombe Emir’s palace, only for the man to hit our members and injure many of us,” he said.