41 injured as vehicle rams into Christian procession in Gombe

At least 41 people were seriously injured when a commercial vehicle, a Sharon, 7 seater mini bus rammed into a procession of Christians in Gombe State on Wednesday.

The Christians were on their way to the Government House and Palace of the Emir of Gombe for the traditional Christmas homage when the accident occurred.

The injured victims were rushed to different hospitals in the state for medical attention.

An eyewitness told journalists that the Christians after they finished the Christmas service from their various Churches in Tunfure gathered for the procession with praises and drumming before the vehicle unexpectedly rammed into the crowd from the behind.

The Public Education and Enlightenment Officer for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Janet Kassa, confirmed the incident in a WhatsApp message to our reporter.

She said: “Yes, the incidence occurred while the procession was headed to the Emir’s palace. 29 victims were taking to Specialist Hospital while 12 to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

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“Location of the crash was by Bank of Industry along Gombe – Tumfure road. There was no death at the time of rescue operations.”

The spokesman for the state police command, Buhari Abdullahi, also confirmed the incident in a statement in Gombe.

He said: “Today, Wednesday, 25th December 2024 at about 1400hrs, Christian faithful from Tunfure Community while on processions, escorted by teams of policemen along Bauchi Road on their way to the Emir’s Palace and Government House respectively.”

“Suddenly, a Sharon vehicle loaded with bags of rice with registration number and driven by yet to be identified person, lost control and run into the procession and injured not less than 22 persons but no life was lost.

“However, the victims were evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) for medical attention.”

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