The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed that 22 people were injured on Wednesday when a vehicle rammed into a Christmas procession along Bauchi Road in the Tumfure area of Gombe.
Buhari Abdullahi, the police spokesperson, said the accident occurred around 2 pm when a Volkswagen Sharon vehicle loaded with bags of rice veered off the road and struck participants in the procession.
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. According to Abdullahi, the driver fled the scene, prompting a mob to set the vehicle ablaze.
“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. Security personnel and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leaders were present to maintain peace and order.
The Commissioner of Police has directed the Motor Traffic Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Residents have been urged to remain calm as efforts to locate and arrest the driver continue.
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