According to witnesses, the deceased children who were from different ECWA churches in Gombe metropolis were on the annual Easter Rally late Sunday night, when the Civil defence officer in mufti and his civilian friend, all Muslims, ran into them around Alheri junction along the Biu road.

One of the survivors, Joel Nanyak, 15, said the incident happened around 11:30pm when the NSCDC officer and his friend met their procession and had argument with their leaders.

“After arguing with the leaders of the procession, he was allowed to pass; however, he told us that he would come back and he made a u-turn, switched off his car’s light and rammed into the procession from behind. “I was busy with the big bass drum. I only woke up to find myself on the road and was later told what had happened. My younger brother was killed.”

A source said the late civil defence officer, popularly known as Ukasha, was attached to the Gombe State Government House where he had worked for over 10 years as a liaison officer of the NSCDC. “He had also worked as orderly to then Commissioners for Education, Dr Habu Dahiru and Ahmadu Labilwa Madugu before he was posted to the Government House,” the source said.

Read more: Daily Trust