Aggrieved youths in Billiri Local Government Area set a heavy-duty truck ablaze following a tragic incident that resulted in the death of five people.
Eight others are currently receiving medical attention at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and General Hospital Billiri after the incident that occurred on April 21, 2025.
In their anger, the youths looted several shops and subsequently marched to the Billiri Divisional Police Headquarters, throwing stones and other dangerous objects at the officers on duty.
The deceased, who included two males and three females, were confirmed dead by medical personnel after a trailer truck transporting grains lost control due to brake failure while approaching a gathering of Christian faithful who were in procession celebrating the Easter season in Billiri.
The vehicle veered off the road and tragically struck the crowd, which included some Muslim residents observing the procession from the roadside.
Police operatives from the Billiri Division quickly responded to the distress call, providing immediate rescue efforts and transporting the injured victims to the nearest hospital for emergency care.
In a statement issued by DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the Public Relations Officer for the Gombe State Police Command, the police condemned the act of lawlessness and urged residents to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Divisional Police Officer and several other police personnel sustained various degrees of injuries during the unrest. However, the driver has been rescued, and eight suspects have been arrested for attacking the police division and attempting to set it on fire. Normalcy has since been restored.
The Commissioner of Police for Gombe State, CP Bello Yahaya, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery to the injured. He assured the public that adequate security measures have been implemented to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
Additionally, the public is urged to remain law-abiding, avoid taking the law into their own hands, and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
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