An unspecified number of people have been reported dead in Gombe State after an articulated vehicle loaded with goods ploughed into a procession of Easter celebrants.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday along Tashan Gona in Billiri, as the group was returning from a mountain prayer gathering.
According to eyewitnesses, several persons were killed on the spot, with some reportedly crushed beyond recognition. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
It was gathered that the truck was set ablaze by irate youths after the driver fled the scene and took refuge at the police station in Billiri. Most of the victims were said to be children and youths who had participated in the prayer gathering.
“Many of those affected are youths and children. The scene is an eyesore; some of the victims died on the spot, and others were rushed to the hospital. The driver managed to escape into the Billiri police station,” an eyewitness told SaharaReporters.
As of the time of this report, police authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Efforts to reach the Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Buhari, were unsuccessful. He neither answered calls nor responded to text messages sent to his phone.