5 dead, 13 injured as truck rams into worshippers in Gombe

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed that five people lost their lives while 13 others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a truck along the Billiri-Gombe Road in Gombe State on Easter Monday.

FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, Mr. Samson Kaura, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Tuesday.

He stated that the incident occurred at 7:20 a.m. at Tashan Gona, Billiri town, within Billiri Local Government Area.

According to Kaura, “18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising eight male adults and 10 female adults.”

He added that “five people — two male adults and three female adults — were killed, while 10 female adults and three male adults sustained fractures and open wounds.”

The deceased were taken to the General Hospital in Billiri, while the injured victims were transported to the General Hospital, Amana, Lafiya Clinic, Billiri, and the Gombe Specialist Hospital for medical treatment.

Kaura attributed the crash to excessive speeding, urging motorists to always observe the 30 km/h speed limit in built-up areas to minimize crash severity and casualties.

He also confirmed that the truck driver had been apprehended by the Police Division in Billiri for prosecution.

Police Public Relations Officer in Gombe State, Buhari Abdullahi, also confirmed the incident.

He noted that the crash caused a brief period of unrest in Billiri, but security personnel swiftly intervened to restore calm.

Abdullahi said, “The truck hit some persons who were part of the last batch returning from the Easter prayer ground to their various locations.”

He explained that “the truck, which was loaded with grains, was set ablaze by angry residents, and an attempt was made to kill the driver, but police officers intervened just in time.”

He assured, “For now, everything is calm and motorists are now plying the route and there is no cause for panic.”