A committee set up by the Gombe State Government has concluded that the tragic incident on Easter Monday—when a truck ploughed into a Christian procession in Biliri Local Government Area—was not accidental but a deliberate act by the driver.
The ad-hoc panel, which included both Christian and Muslim members, was mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event that left six people dead and dozens critically injured.
Announcing the findings, committee chairman Rambi Ayala said:
“The findings happened from the incident when a trailer truck driver carelessly rammed into the last batch of Christians participating in the Easter procession leading to multiple fatalities and severe injuries.”;
He added that the panel had carefully identified the victims:
“A total of 36 persons were involved and at the moment 18 of them are still receiving treatment at the federal teaching hospital and the specialist hospital in Gombe.”;
He named the six deceased victims as: Grace David, Clement Lakason, Ephraim Ibrahim, Faida P. Uslas, Rejoice Mela, and Praise Ayuba.
The committee also issued recommendations to the state government, calling for urgent upgrades to emergency medical infrastructure.
“The government should consider constructing or renovating the current general hospitals to help maintain the growing health challenges in the area especially during emergencies like the instant case,”; Ayala stated.
The panel commended the swift response of government agencies and urged continued unity among residents.
