The Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, Monday, ordered a “speedy and comprehensive investigation” into the Easter Sunday tragedy in which a vehicle rammed into a procession of Christian worshippers, leaving 11 people dead and 30 others with varying degrees of injuries.
Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this via a press statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
The tragedy occurred along Gombe-Biu road, in Gombe State.
Citing eye-witness accounts, Mba said the tragic event occurred “as a result of loss of control of the vehicle by the driver while driving along Gadan Malale and heading towards central round about; and on reaching a point at Unguwan Waja, rammed into a procession of crowd evidently celebrating Easter.”
“With assistance of the policemen from Gombe Division,”Mba continued, “the victims were immediately rushed to Gombe Specialist Hospital where the driver, one Corp Assistant Adamu Abdullahi, a staff of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to Government House, Gombe, and 10 others were confirmed dead, and their bodies deposited at the morgue; while 30 other persons injured are currently receiving treatment.”
The Force PRO also disclosed that the Gombe State Commissioner of Police visited the scene of the accident to have an on-the-spot assessment, as well as the hospital to monitor the treatment of the victims.
“The IGP,” the release said, “while condoling the families and friends of the dead and the injured victims, advised motorists to exercise utmost caution by obeying all traffic signs, rules and regulations while driving especially this festive period and beyond.”
