President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, expressed deep sadness over reports of the killing of some Christian youths during an Easter procession Sunday night in Gombe, and reprisal killing of the law enforcement officials allegedly responsible for the tragic incident.
Buhari, in a statement signed by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, described the violent actions as “very unfortunate,” even as he extended his condolences to the families of the victims, while wishing the several injured speedy recovery.
According to the statement, the President while joining the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gombe State chapter, and the State Government in appealing for calm, also decried the reckless driving as well as “quick resort to self-help and mob action.”
According to him, “We must always be mindful of the peaceful action of others while resisting the urge to take the laws into our hands notwithstanding the gravity of provocation.”
The President commends the leaderships of the police and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for steps taken in bringing the situation under control, and promising further investigations into the sad incident.
President Buhari prays Almighty God to comfort the bereaved families and grant rest to the souls of the departed victims.
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It will be recalled that an official of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe state, had crushed 10 members of the Boys Brigade who were on their usual procession in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in Gombe
Chairman of the State Battalion of the Boys Brigade (BB), Isaac Kwadang, who narrated how the incident occurred told reporters that the NSCDC officer, who was in the company of his policeman friend, though not on official duty, “met the procession while passing and after exchanging words with the youths, drove pass them, parked his car and put off the head lamps.”
Over 30 others were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries, after the NSCDC official ran his car through the procession from behind, killing 10 on the spot.
The youths were said to have chased the security officers, caught with them and mobbed them to death.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
