By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
Not fewer than Forty people have been confirmed variously injured in what was a near bleak Christmas in Gombe, when, on Wednesday, a commercial vehicle, a Sharon, 7 seater mini bus lost control and crammed into a procession of Christians.
The Christians were on their way to the Government House and Palace of the Emir of Gombe for the traditional Christmas homage.
Though no life was lost at the scene of the crash, scores were variously injured and rushed to different hospitals for immediate medical attention.
An eyewitness accounted that the Christians had just finished the Christmas service from their various Churches in Tunfure and gathered before starting the processing amidst singing praises and drumming in high spirit of of joy and happiness.
The eyewitness who was part of the procession but narrowly escaped, narrated that the vehicle unexpectedly crammed into the crowd from the behind.
The State Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) through the Public Education and Enlightenment Officer, Janet Kassa responded through the WhatsApp message on her number as of the time of this report that the crash occurred.
According to her, “Yes the incidence occurred while the procession was headed to the emirs palace. 29 victims were taking to Specialist Hospital while 12 to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.”
Janet Kassa added that, “Location of the crash was by Bank of Industry, along Gombe – Tumfure road. There was no death at the time of rescue operations.”
However, the State Police Command confirmed that, “Today, Wednesday, 25th December 2024 at About 1400hrs, Christian faithful from Tunfure Community, while on processions, escorted by Teams of Policemen along Bauchi Road, on their way to the Emir’s Palace and Government House respectively.”
The Command, through the PPRO, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, stated that,”Suddenly, a Sharon Vehicle loaded with bags of rice with registration number and driven by yet to be identified person, lost control and run into the procession and injured not less than 22 persons but no life was lost.”
The PPRO added that, “However, the victims were evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) for medical attention.”
He added that the vehicle was burnt down by angry mob while the driver escaped to an unknown destination while efforts have been intensified to locate and get him arrested for further investigations.
Combined teams of Police Officers led by Deputy Commissioner Operations Gombe Command and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Leadership in the State are fully on ground and in control of the situation to calm it down.
The Command urged the good People of Gombe State to remain calm as the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman has directed the Command to carry out a discreet investigation of the unfortunate incident.
