A car on Wednesday crashed into a Christian procession in Tumfure Community, near Gombe, injuring many participants. The Gombe State Police Command confirmed that 22 people were injured during the Christmas procession.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, no fatalities were reported, and those injured are receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) and the Specialist Hospital in Gombe.
The incident occurred around 2 pm when Christian faithful from Tumfure Community, escorted by a team of police officers, were making their way to the Emir’s Palace and the Government House.
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Abdullahi explained that a Sharon bus, which was loaded with bags of rice and driven by an unidentified person, lost control and rammed into the procession. “The incident led to 22 persons being injured, but there were no fatalities,” he said.
The vehicle was subsequently set ablaze by an angry mob, while the driver fled the scene. The police are reportedly making efforts to apprehend the driver.
However, Mr. Shamsuddeen Kachalla, the leader of the procession, told reporters at the Specialist Hospital, where some injured victims are receiving care, that attempts were made to flag down the vehicle to no avail.
Kachalla, a member of the Boys’ Brigade in Gombe, stated that the number of injured persons was higher than the 22 confirmed by the police. “I have confirmed that 40 persons were injured and are receiving treatment – 12 at FTH and 28 at the Specialist Hospital,” he said.
“This procession has been held for many years, and this is the first time we are facing such an incident. I don’t know if the driver lost control, but it seems he intentionally drove into the people rather than stopping before hitting the vehicles ahead of him,” Kachalla added.
However, visits to both hospitals confirmed that 40 individuals had been injured in total.
In response to the incident, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State expressed his condolences to the victims. During a meeting with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Gombe State chapter at the Government House, Yahaya urged the youths to remain calm.
He also called on Christian faithful to continue living peacefully with their Muslim neighbours, emphasising the importance of harmony during the festive season.
