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.

Gombe State Police Command Spokesman, ASP Buhari Abdullahi

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

Aiyedatiwa, Akeredolu’s widow clash over memorial lecture in Ondo

A brewing conflict has emerged in Ondo State between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, the widow of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, over plans to organize a memorial lecture in honor of the deceased governor.

Late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed away on December 28 last year after a prolonged illness, was succeeded by Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, as per constitutional provisions.

In a bid to commemorate the former governor’s legacy, the Ondo State Government announced plans to hold a memorial lecture on Friday, December 27.

However, this decision has sparked criticism from Mrs. Akeredolu, who claims the event was planned without consulting her family.

Taking to her verified X account, the former First Lady expressed her dissatisfaction, stating that the proposed lecture does not align with her husband’s legacy.

She accused the state government of sidelining the family in the planning process, suggesting that the lecture may not truly honor her late husband.

She said it was an “entry point to chop money on Aketi’s head.”

According to her, “Lucky can’t be serious! Which legacy? Mtcheew. Lecture, my foot! This is not for Aketi because I and my family are not aware. Damn it!

“As the saying goes, you and your co-travellers cannot shave Aketi’s head in his absence. You cannot weep more than the bereaved. This is an insidious propaganda carried too far!

“Lucky, you are preoccupied with rubbishing Aketi’s legacy; you can’t succeed, anyway. Anybody close to Aketi and Arabinrin becomes your enemy. Your minions are scared to get close otherwise they lose their appointments.

“Now, you want to pretend by organising one yeye lecture for Aketi’s memorial as an entry point to chop money on Aketi’s head. You are on your own o! If this is not #yahoo #419 lecture, tell me what it is!”

However, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the planned lecture was an exclusive event of the state government.

He clarified that the organisers extended invitation to the late Akeredolu’s family.

Aiyedatiwa, Akeredolu’s widow clash over memorial lecture in Ondo

(Nation)

Christmas day tragedy: Gas explosion in Niger

A tragic gas cylinder explosion at a vulcanizing shop in the Kpakungu area of Minna, Niger State, has claimed the life of an apprentice and left three others injured.

The incident occurred on Wednesday near the Kpakungu Centre Mosque while the shop owner and his apprentices were at work.

Eyewitnesses reported that the cylinder burst unexpectedly, scattering debris and generating intense heat.

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The explosion caused severe injuries to those nearby, resulting in the death of one apprentice and hospitalization of three others.

Efforts to contact Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, for further details were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of this report.

Christmas day tragedy: Gas explosion in Niger