Governor Yahaya mourns victims of Billiri Easter Procession Tragedy

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has expressed profound grief following a tragic incident during an Easter procession in Billiri Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of five people and left several others injured.

According to reports, the tragedy unfolded when a trailer transporting grains from Adamawa State to Gombe suffered brake failure and veered into a crowd of Christian worshippers taking part in the procession.

Describing the incident as “heartbreaking and deeply regrettable,” Governor Yahaya offered his condolences to the bereaved families and extended prayers for the swift recovery of those injured.

“This is a dark and painful moment for the families affected and for all of us as a people. On behalf of the government and people of Gombe State, I offer our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Christian community in Billiri and everyone impacted by this terrible event,” Governor Yahaya said.

He assured that the state government was committed to providing the best possible medical care for the injured, while ordering an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

“We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Decisive action will be taken against anyone found culpable. The safety and well-being of our citizens remain our utmost priority,” the governor stated.

Calling for calm in the wake of the tragedy, Governor Yahaya urged residents of Billiri and the wider Gombe State community to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

“We must not allow grief to give way to actions that could jeopardise the peace we have all worked hard to maintain,” he cautioned.

Security agencies have been instructed to maintain law and order and work closely with local leaders to foster peace and understanding during this sensitive period.

Reaffirming the longstanding reputation of Gombe State for harmony and interfaith tolerance, the Governor expressed confidence in the resilience of its people.

“With compassion, unity, and mutual understanding, we will rise above this tragedy,” he concluded.

In the meantime, the Gombe State Police Command has confirmed that the tragic incident occurred in the morning of April 21, 2025, in Billiri Local Government Area involving a heavy-duty truck.

A statement signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said a trailer truck transporting grains from Adamawa State to Gombe lost control due to brake failure while approaching a gathering of Christian faithful who were on procession to celebrate the Easter season in Billiri town.

The statement said the vehicle veered off the road and tragically ran into the crowd, including some Muslim residents who were observing from the roadside.

It also said police operatives from Billiri Division swiftly responded to the distress, providing immediate rescue efforts and conveying the injured victims to the nearest hospital for emergency medical attention.

According to the statement, five persons, made up of two males and three females, were confirmed dead by medical personnel, while eight others are currently receiving treatment and responding positively at the Federal Teaching Hospital and the General Hospital, Billiri.

The statement said that in the aftermath of the incident, some aggrieved youths in the area set the vehicle ablaze, looted some people’s shops, and subsequently marched to the Billiri Divisional Police Headquarters.

It also said that in an attempt to express their anger, the youths began to throw stones and other dangerous objects at the officers on duty.

The Divisional Police Officer and several other police personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries during the unrest.

“However, Normalcy has been restored,” the statement said.

The Command condemns the act of lawlessness and urges residents to remain calm and allow the law to take its course as investigations are currently ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Yahaya, commiserates with the families of the deceased and prays for the quick recovery of the injured.

He also assures the public that adequate security measures have been put in place in the area to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.