The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed that 22 people were injured on on Christmas Day in Gombe State capital as a commercial bus driver lost control of his vehicle and rammed into a Christmas procession from Tumfure community to the Government House and Gombe Emir’s Palace for Christmas homage, along Bauchi Road in the Tumfure area of Gombe.
The incident occurred at about 2pm near the popular IMAN Restaurant on Bauchi Road, where the bus suddenly ran into the celebrants as a result of suspected faulty brake, unleashing anxiety and tension.
The procession, escorted by police officers, was on its way to the Emir of Gombe’s palace and the government house for a Christmas homage.
The driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control before hitting the crowd. His vehicle loaded with rice and other grains was, however, smashed and burned.
The incident sparked outrage in Gombe, prompting a mob to attack the driver who reportedly escaped, but the enraged mob set the vehicle ablaze.
The spokesperson of the Gombe State Police Command, Buhari Abdullahi, also confirmed the incident, saying the injured victims were rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and Specialist Hospital, for medical attention.
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“There was no loss of life, but about 22 people sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Abdullahi stated.
The injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre and the Specialist Hospital in Gombe for treatment.
The Police Spokesman added that the Command has launched an investigation into the incident, with the State’s Commissioner of Police directing the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MTD) to carry out a discreet probe.
The police urged the public to remain calm as a combined team of police officers and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leaders were containing the situation to prevent any further incidents.
Our correspondent also reports that the scene was cordoned off by soldiers, policemen and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel.
