A tragic incident occurred on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, in Billiri town, Gombe State, when a trailer truck transporting grains lost control and ploughed into a crowd of Christian faithful participating in an Easter procession, killing five people and injuring thirteen others.
According to the Gombe State Police Command, the accident happened around 7 a.m. along the Gombe-Yola Road. Police spokesperson DSP Buhari Abdullahi confirmed that the victims included two men and three women who died on the spot, while eight injured persons were rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe and the General Hospital in Billiri for treatment.
Eyewitnesses described how the truck veered off the road due to brake failure and struck the crowd, which included mostly youths and children returning from a mountain prayer gathering symbolizing the meeting with Jesus Christ in Galilee. Some Muslim residents standing by were also caught in the accident.
The tragedy sparked outrage among residents, with angry youths setting the truck ablaze and storming the Billiri Divisional Police Headquarters, demanding justice. The police intervened to prevent further violence, though some officers, including the Divisional Police Officer, sustained injuries during the unrest.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the crash to excessive speeding and the driver’s failure to maintain control. The truck driver was apprehended and is expected to face prosecution.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya expressed deep sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and praying for the recovery of the injured. He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and promised that those responsible would be held accountable.
This tragic event echoes previous incidents in Gombe, including a similar Easter tragedy in 2019 when a vehicle ploughed into a procession, killing children and sparking unrest.
Despite prior assurances by the police to secure Easter celebrations, the accident revealed gaps in safety measures. Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding as investigations continue.
