12 children were killed when a pickup van ran into a procession of students marking the birthday of Prophet Muhammad in a town in Gombe state yesterday.
The sad incident happened in Malam Sidi town 20 kilometres away from Gombe, the state capital.
A witness, who craved for anonymity, said the driver was coming from Gombe on a high speed when he lost control and ran into the Maulud procession.
The event was staged by hundreds of Islamiya School pupils some of whom came from neighbouring villages.
A witness said he counted about 20 corpses, adding that over 30 children were injured and taken to the Cottage Hospital in Malam Sidi.
He said angry mob killed the driver and set the vehicle ablaze before police arrived the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Usamn, said the accident occurred at 12 noon when a driver travelling alone in his car from Gombe to Bajoga lost control and ran into the children procession.
DSP Usman said eight were confirmed dead and 19 others were evacuated by the police medical team to Federal Teaching Hospital and Gombe Specialists Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile the funeral prayer for 12 of the children that lost their lives was held yesterday around 5:00pm at the premises of the Cottage Hospital, Malam Sidi, with their corpses. RIP!
