22 injured as bus driver loses control during Christmas procession in Gombe

22 injured as bus driver loses control during Christmas procession in Gombe

A Christmas celebration in Gombe took a tragic turn when a commercial bus driver lost control of his vehicle and struck a group of Christian faithful, leaving no fewer than 22 people injured.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. during a procession by the Tumfure community, as celebrants made their way to the Government House and the Gombe Emir’s Palace to pay homage.

According to the Gombe State Police Command Spokesman, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, the driver, whose identity remains unknown, was transporting bags of rice when he lost control and veered into the crowd.

Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. The injured victims were promptly rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and the Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, while the community continues to pray for the swift recovery of those injured.

“The Gombe State Police Command urges the public to remain as the Commission of Police, Usman Hayatu, has directed the Motor Traffic Department to carryout a discreet investigation of the unfortunate incident,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Captain of Gombe Boys Brigade and leader of the procession, Shamsudeen Kachalla, said about 40 members were injured during the incident.

“In the course of our procession from Tumfure down to Old Mile 3, it was peaceful, cars were being diverted. Along the way from Orji quarters to the Federal Mortgage Bank, there was a vehicle that just came from nowhere. We tried to stop him but we couldn’t and before we knew it, the driver hit our boys.

“There were boys at the rear as I was also at the rear trying to coordinate the traffic from behind. This procession has been going on for years and for the first time, we are encountering such. There were casualties. I am still counting but so far, there are 12 victims in FTH, Gombe, and 28 at the specialist hospital, but there is no death,” he said.

 

22 injured as bus driver loses control during Christmas procession in Gombe