22 people hospitalised after vehicle loaded with bags of rice rammed into Christmas procession

On Christmas Day, a tragic incident occurred in Gombe, leaving at least 22 people injured when a Sharon vehicle loaded with bags of rice lost control and crashed into a procession of Christian worshippers. The accident took place around 2:00 p.m. along Bauchi Road, as members of the Tumfure Christian community were participating in their annual procession.The procession is a long-standing tradition, where parishioners from Tumfure, along the Gombe-Bauchi Expressway, make their way to the Emir’s palace to pay respects to Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, the Emir of Gombe.  They then continue to the Gombe Government House, joining other worshippers from surrounding areas. The event is meant to symbolise unity, peace, and solidarity among the community.According to the Gombe Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the vehicle involved in the crash was driven by an unidentified individual, who fled the scene immediately after the accident. The police have yet to ascertain the registration number of the vehicle. The victims of the crash were swiftly transported to the Federal Medical Centre and the Specialist Hospital in Gombe for treatment. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported. However, the incident sparked a violent reaction from the crowd, leading to the burning of the vehicle. Authorities are currently investigating the matter, with the Commissioner of Police directing the Motor Traffic Department to conduct a thorough inquiry. The police are also working to track down the driver responsible for the crash.Despite the chaos, DSP Abdullahi reassured the public that order had been restored, with ongoing police patrols to monitor the situation. He urged citizens to remain calm as efforts to apprehend the driver continue.