Six Christians were killed and another 30 injured when a truck crashed into an Easter procession in Biliri Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria.
The incident took place on Easter Monday, 21 April. Eighteen of the injured are still hospitalised.
An investigative panel found that, contrary to the official police report which ruled the incident was accidental, the truck was driven intentionally into the procession.
The initial official report of the incident issued by the police department claimed that the crash was an accident due to a brake failure on the vehicle, despite eyewitness testimony to the contrary.
In a written statement, three local NGOs described the police report as “laughable” and “a calculated attempt to shield the culprits”, querying, “How did they know it was a mechanical fault without any investigation?”
The statement added that there was video evidence that no attempt was made by the driver to stop the vehicle or warn of his approach; rather, the driver had deliberately driven straight into the crowd.
The independent panel agreed, ruling that the incident was intentional and that the driver must be prosecuted.
This is the third such incident in Gombe State in the last six years. In December 2024 dozens were injured when a minibus drove into a Christmas procession – though it was never confirmed that the attack was deliberate. In April 2019, an off-duty Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officer deliberately drove into a Boys’ Brigade Easter procession, killing at least eight.
How you can pray
Ask our Lord to comfort the bereaved and heal the injured from this attack. Give thanks that authorities listened to the NGOs’ written statement and investigated the incident beyond the initial police report. Pray that future celebrations of Christian holidays in Nigeria will not be targets for attack, and Christians will be able to partake in celebrations in peace.
