Following the recent killing of Christians during the Easter Monday procession in Billiri Local Government Area, a group known as Tangale socio-cultural organisations has accused the Gombe state government and the Nigerian Police of conniving to hide the truth.
The group comprising of the Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), Kwagam Tangale Socio-Cultural Association (KTSCA), and Tangale Community Overseas (TCO) made the allegation in a joint statement delivered by TCDA National President Danladi Bako.
Bako expressed deep outrage over what they described as a “wanton loss of innocent lives” and a “callous and biased police narrative.”
He said, we find it necessary to call on you to debunk the widespread misinformation and disinformation by the Nigeria Police on the Billiri Easter tragedy,” the statement read. “We will provide pictures, videos, victims, and eyewitnesses so you can independently verify what transpired.”
While acknowledging Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s offer to foot victims’ hospital and burial bills, the associations condemned the poor health infrastructure in Billiri, attributing it to government neglect.
The 21 patients currently in the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe were first taken to the General Hospital in Billiri,” the statement said. “There, neither personnel on duty nor first-aid kits, syringes, or drips were available.
The same governor who now shows compassion,” the statement continued, “rejected medical supplies from Tangale indigenes just 16 months ago on his directive. We have documented evidence of this.”
Reacting to the police’s official report, which claimed the truck crash was due to brake failure, the groups labelled the account as “laughable” and “a calculated attempt to shield the culprits.”
“Video evidence contradicts the police claim,” the statement declared. “The truck did not veer off the road it drove straight into the procession. The driver didn’t honk, and the vehicle only stopped after mowing down the victims.”
Further rejecting the police’s claim that Muslims were also affected in the incident, the groups said: “The statement that the truck hit some Muslims watching from the roadside is false. No Muslim was harmed. The truck rammed into a Christian procession. This is an attempt to incite division where there was none.
The groups also questioned the police’s preparedness and impartiality, saying they were informed beforehand.
“So why were no officers deployed to manage traffic?” the groups asked.
“Why did both the state and zonal police repeat the same unverified statement about brake failure?” they queried. “How did they know it was a mechanical fault without any investigation?”
“We are not fools,” the groups added. “We will share video evidence some already viral online to challenge these lies.”
Providing their version of events, the group recounted that: “On Monday, April 21, 2025, at about 7:30 a.m., Christians were descending from the Easter Prayer Ground near Yola Road, singing and dancing.
“A trailer loaded with grains approached. Participants waved and signalled the driver to slow down. Though he initially reduced speed, he later accelerated into the denser crowd near Tashan Gona.
“He did not honk or warn. He drove into the crowd, killing and injuring many.
They emphasised that earlier vehicles were allowed to pass safely, and that the truck driver’s behaviour was an anomaly.
“After stopping, the driver ran to police officers nearby,” they said. “Instead of helping the injured, the police helped him escape in their vehicle, leaving victims under the truck.”
They also reported another incident, saying, “At about 6:30 a.m., a separate vehicle struck a man and his daughter on a motorcycle near Federal Government College, Billiri. They had just left the prayer ground.”
In response, the groups demanded the “immediate retraction of the ‘false’ police statement.”
They also demanded the installation of speed breakers on the Gombe-Yola highway as a safety measure. They called for the release of arrested persons, calling them “passionate protestors,” not criminals.
“We do not condone violence,” the statement clarified, “but the arrests reflect police disregard for the rule of law.”
“While we mourn the five lives lost and support the 21 injured, we urge everyone to remain calm,” the statement added. “No one should take the law into their own hands.”
The associations announced a 14-day mourning period, starting the day after the statement, urging all Tangale people to suspend celebrations.
“All forms of merriment must stop,” the groups stated. “We call on Tangale sons and daughters—at home and abroad to observe three days of fasting and prayer starting Friday.”
Concluding, the statement drew upon scripture.
“As it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord.’ We believe God will act against all injustices faced by the Tangale people,” the statement read.