Speaker 1: Not less than five people have been confirmed killed on
Speaker 1: Monday at Bliri Town, the headquarters of Blieri Local government
Speaker 1: area in Gombe State, when a haulage truck advancing from
Speaker 1: Adamawa State allegedly failed break and rammed into a crowd
Speaker 1: of Christian worshippers who were observing Eastern rally or procession.
Speaker 1: Though some eyewitnesses claimed more than fifteen persons were killed
Speaker 1: due to the accident, but the state government, through the
Speaker 1: Office of the Government House Press says five persons died,
Speaker 1: adding that several people were injured. While urging the people
Speaker 1: to be calm following the violent that erupted after the accident,
Speaker 1: which led to the burning of the vehicle and destructions
Speaker 1: of other properties in the area. Gombe State Governor Muhammadu
Speaker 1: Anua Yahaya, who mourned the victims of the accident, said
Speaker 1: the people of the state will rise above the tragedy
Speaker 1: with compassion and unity. In a press release issued by
Speaker 1: the Governor's Director General of Press Affairs, Ismaila uber Misili,
Speaker 1: Governor mohammaduan Uwer Yuhaiya expressed deep sorrow and concern over
Speaker 1: the tragic incident that occurred during an Easter procession in Baliri,
Speaker 1: Gombe State, which resulted in the loss of five lives
Speaker 1: and injuries to many others. The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred
Speaker 1: when a trailer truck transporting grains from Adamawa's state to
Speaker 1: Gombe suffered break failure and lost control, veering into a
Speaker 1: group of Christian faithful who were participating in a religious
Speaker 1: procession to mark the Easter celebration. Reacting to the tragedy,
Speaker 1: Governor Anuer Yuhaiya described the incident as heartbreaking and regrettable.
Speaker 1: This is a dark and painful moment for the families
Speaker 1: affected and for all of us as a people, the
Speaker 1: governor said, on behalf of the government and people of
Speaker 1: Gombe State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families
Speaker 1: of those who lost their lives and prey for the
Speaker 1: swift and full recovery of those currently receiving treatment. Our
Speaker 1: thoughts and prayers are with the entire Christian community in
Speaker 1: Balri and beyond, as well as with all those affected
Speaker 1: by this terrible tragedy. As a government, we are committed
Speaker 1: to ensuring that the victims receive the best possible medical care. Meanwhile,
Speaker 1: Governor Anua Yahaya has directed the relevant authorities to immediately
Speaker 1: investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and vowed that those
Speaker 1: found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
Speaker 1: We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable and
Speaker 1: decisive action will be taken against anyone found wanting in
Speaker 1: this incident. The governor stated, the safety and well being
Speaker 1: of our citizens remain our top priority. While we warn
Speaker 1: I call on all residents of Balleri and the entire
Speaker 1: state to remain calm and law abiding. We must resist
Speaker 1: the temptation to allow grief and anger to lead us
Speaker 1: into actions that could further endanger lives or disrupt the
Speaker 1: peace we have worked so hard to build. The security
Speaker 1: agencies have been directed to maintain law and order and
Speaker 1: to engage with community leaders to promote peace and mutual
Speaker 1: unsunderstanding at this critical time. The governor noted that Gombe
Speaker 1: State is renowned for its harmony and spirit of tolerance,
Speaker 1: expressing confidence that as a people, we will overcome this
Speaker 1: tragedy through compassion, understanding and a sense of unity. Statement
Speaker 1: ends Honorable ali Issa, the minority whip in the Nigeria
Speaker 1: House of Representatives, while sympathizing with the people of Belerri,
Speaker 1: said that he woke up this morning with the enthusiasm
Speaker 1: of looking forward to a great day of joy and
Speaker 1: celebration of the Easter Holiday with my Christian friends and constituents.
Speaker 1: But instead I got a very sad call in forming
Speaker 1: me of the tragedy that occurred in Bleerri town today
Speaker 1: wherein our Christian faithful who was celebrating the occasion got
Speaker 1: overrun by a haulage truck, resulting in a number of
Speaker 1: casualties and injuries. It is indeed sad and painful that
Speaker 1: such joyful lives are lost on a day in which
Speaker 1: we are celebrating the fullness of life and joy. This
Speaker 1: has left me in utter shock, disbelief and mourning. My
Speaker 1: heart goes out to the families of those we have lost,
Speaker 1: including those who have sustained various degrees of injuries. My
Speaker 1: office will establish contact with the various families in order
Speaker 1: to assist them in any way possible. Meanwhile, as sad
Speaker 1: as it is, may I use this opportunity to call
Speaker 1: on all our people in Belanga the Leary Federal Constituency
Speaker 1: to keep calm and maintain law and order in the
Speaker 1: usual way that we are known for. Let us not
Speaker 1: let this very sad incident dampen our collective spirit of
Speaker 1: peace and good will, and may it also not let
Speaker 1: us lose focus from the essence of the spirit of Easter.
Speaker 1: May the souls of the departed rest in peace with
Speaker 1: the Lord God Almighty, and may their families be comforted,
Speaker 1: and may the injured get speedy recoveries. Are men, lady,
Speaker 1: BRINGI BRINGI in emogical way,