Goal Was to Inspire Copycat Actions: Expert
Courtesy: Bile Nuhu.
Courtesy: Bile Nuhu.
By Segun Onibiyo
(Billiri, Gombe State) They had been singing hymns under the golden haze of dawn, children trailing their parents, the elderly leaning on walking sticks, all united in celebration of Easter’s hope. But by 7 a.m. on April 21, the joy was shattered – replaced with screams, sirens, and the metallic scent of blood. A trailer truck, fully loaded with grains, barreled into the Easter procession in Billiri town. Within seconds, five worshippers were dead. More than 30 were injured.
The incident, now known across Gombe as the ‘Billiri Easter Massacre’, has sparked a wave of anger, disbelief, and questions – not just about road safety, but about deeper patterns of violence targeting Christians in Nigeria’s northeast.
Billiri town is the headquarters of Billiri County in Gombe State, northeastern Nigeria. It lies along the Gombe – Yola highway, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Gombe city, the state capital. Nestled on a plateau region known for its hilly terrain and mild climate, Billiri is predominantly inhabited by the Tangale people, a predominantly Christian ethnic group. The town serves as a cultural and commercial hub in southern Gombe, with agriculture and trade forming the backbone of the local economy. Its strategic location along a major transit route makes it accessible but also vulnerable to traffic-related security incidents.
‘They Never Had a Chance’
Gombe State Police spokesperson DSP Buhari Abdullahi confirmed the fatalities – two males and three females and said the crash occurred due to brake failure.
But locals tell a different story.
Witnesses told TruthNigeria that the truck slowed as it approached the crowd, only to accelerate moments later, plowing into the faithful from behind. “He saw them. He sped up deliberately,” said Dorcas Danladi, who survived the crash with a fractured shoulder. “We waved and told him to honk. He didn’t. He just drove into us.”
Another eyewitness while responding to TruthNigeria via telephone, Ismaila Bukar, recalled: “The truck stopped almost immediately after mowing down people. That’s not a vehicle with failed brakes. That’s someone who knew what he was doing.”
The aftermath was chaotic. Aggrieved youth set the vehicle ablaze, stormed the police station, and demanded justice. Tear gas was fired. Eight youths were arrested.
A Pattern of Targeted Violence?
This is not the first time Christians have been victims during religious processions in Gombe. In 2019, ten children from the Boys’ Brigade were killed in a similar Easter procession. In December 2024, another truck rammed into a Christmas crowd, injuring over 20.
Some security experts believe these incidents are suspicious.
“When these attacks happen only on Christian holidays, it raises serious red flags. These are soft-target gatherings, predictable, and unprotected,” according to former DSS operative Bello Wakili, interviewed by TruthNigeria.
Colonel (rtd) Andrew Egbe, a security analyst, agrees. “This has the potential of morphing into a pattern of religious intimidation unless fully investigated and stopped. Every life lost fuels division.”
“You don’t need a conspiracy theory to see the systemic negligence,” road safety expert Binta Nasir told TruthNigeria. “Police and FRSC knew there’d be a procession. Why wasn’t traffic diverted or controlled? It’s either incompetence or complicity.”
A Governor’s Pain and Promise
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya visited victims and called for a thorough investigation. “This is a dark and painful moment for all of us. I assure the families of the deceased and injured that we will pursue justice,” he said. “Those responsible will face the full weight of the law.”
But for many in Billiri, those words ring hollow. The Gombe South Emancipation Forum (GSEF), a grassroots watchdog group, released a scathing report accusing police of spreading misinformation. The group’s investigation found no evidence of brake failure and claimed the police protected the driver while ignoring dying victims under the truck.
“We’re not just burying our loved ones. We’re burying truth and justice,” said David Yohanna, GSEF’s Research Secretary.
Systemic Failures
The incident exposed broader failures: a poorly equipped Billiri General Hospital that couldn’t handle trauma cases, absent FRSC personnel on a known procession route, and a police response more focused on suppressing protest than aiding victims.
Senator Siyako Yaro, who represents Gombe South, reportedly paid out-of-pocket for emergency drugs due to the hospital’s empty shelves.
‘Why This Cannot Be Ignored’ – Security Experts
Christians in Gombe use public roads twice a year for religious celebrations. Analysts wonder why these occasions repeatedly end in tragedy?
“Terrorist decision makers often stage high-profile atrocities not just to harm victims, but to send calculated signals – to their followers, rival groups, and the broader public,” according to Dr. Amina Lawal, a security analyst responding to TruthNigeria.
“These attacks serve to demonstrate capability, rally support, and provoke overreactions that fuel their narrative,” Lawal went on to say, “especially when the targets are symbolic – such as Christian processions.”
“The goal is to stoke fear, reinforce ideological divides, and inspire copycat acts from decentralized cells or lone wolves,” Lawal added.
Adding her view to the Billiri incident, “This isn’t just about a crash,” said conflict researcher Dr. Hadiza Kuta to TruthNigeria. “It’s about systemic dehumanization,” Kuta said. “If this were a Muslim gathering hit on Eid, Nigeria would be burning,” she added.
The government has promised justice before. But no reports from the 2019 or 2024 incidents are publicly available.
The Billiri Easter Massacre must not be another forgotten tragedy, analysts told TruthNigeria.
The Gombe State Government, security agencies, and federal authorities must act swiftly and transparently – not just to punish the guilty, but to send an unmistakable signal: that every Nigerian life matters, and that Christians, too, have a right to celebrate their faith without fear of death.
Because if justice fails here, the cycle will continue. And next Easter, it may be another town’s turn to weep.
Segun Onibiyo reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.
