Truck Crash Kills Five in Gombe, Sparks Youth Protest — Police
By: Zagazola Makama
At least five persons were confirmed dead and eight others injured on Monday following a road traffic accident involving a trailer in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The trailer, which was transporting grains from Yola to Gombe, reportedly suffered a brake failure while approaching a Christian procession in celebration of the Easter season in Billiri town, the Gombe State Police Command said in a statement.
The vehicle veered off the road and rammed into a crowd, which included some Muslim residents who were observing the procession from the roadside.
Police operatives from the Billiri Division responded swiftly, evacuating the injured to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and the General Hospital Billiri for emergency treatment. The Command said five persons two males and three females were confirmed dead by medical personnel.
In the aftermath of the incident, some irate youths set the truck ablaze, looted nearby shops, and stormed the Billiri Divisional Police Headquarters, hurling stones and other dangerous objects at officers on duty. Several police personnel, including the Divisional Police Officer, sustained injuries.
The Police Command confirmed the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the attack on the station and the attempted arson.
The driver of the truck has been rescued and is currently in police custody.
The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Bello Yahaya, psc+, condoled with the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He assured that normalcy has been restored and that adequate security measures are now in place to prevent further disturbances.
The police urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and report any suspicious activity to security agencies.
