The incident, which occurred during an Easter procession in Billiri, involved a truck that rammed into a crowd of Christian worshippers, killing several and injuring many others. 

The African Action Congress (AAC) Gombe State Chapter has accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Billiri division of deliberately protecting the driver responsible for the April 21st Easter tragedy by releasing a "false brake failure narrative" that obstructed justice and misled the public.

The party said this in a petition signed by Bobo Benson Bagwiba Chairman, AAC, Gombe State and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, and copied to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Police Service Commission, the Zonal Assistant Inspector General, and the Director of the Department of State Services in Gombe State.

The incident, which occurred during an Easter procession in Billiri, involved a truck that rammed into a crowd of Christian worshippers, killing several and injuring many others. 

Rather than initiating a professional investigation, AAC said the DPO hastily gave an account of the incident that appeared to exonerate the driver.

“The DPO, without any technical investigation or expert analysis, claimed that the truck ‘lost control due to suspected brake failure.’ This narrative was later contradicted in a second police press release on April 25th, 2025, where the driver was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and inconsiderate driving— thus invalidating the initial claim,” the AAC stated. 

According to the petition, the initial false narrative by the DPO not only shielded the driver from immediate scrutiny but also distorted public understanding of the tragic event. 

The AAC further alleged that eyewitnesses reported the driver deliberately drove into the procession, but those testimonies were ignored or never documented.

“Eyewitnesses reported that the driver intentionally drove into the crowd. These testimonies were ignored or not collected in the early stages of the investigation. The DPO failed to preserve the crime scene, secure evidence, or carry out due process,” AAC said. 

The party said the DPO’s actions amounted to deliberate misinformation, dereliction of duty, and conduct likely to undermine peace in the community.

“The DPO’s actions misled the public and interfered with the perception of the incident. By doing so, he undermined trust in the police, inflamed community tensions, and breached his duty of service and accountability.”

Referencing the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, AAC accused the officer of breaching multiple statutory obligations, including Section 4 which outlines general duties, Section 24 on officer conduct, and Section 32(1) on accountability. They also pointed to Section 66(1), which deals with offences by police officers.

The petition also cited constitutional violations. The party referenced Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states: “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” AAC argued that the DPO failed in this duty by issuing a false narrative and failing to protect the lives of citizens.

They also cited Section 15(5): “The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power,” and Section 39(1), which guarantees the right of citizens to accurate information, stressing that false statements from law enforcement violate these constitutional provisions.

In its concluding remarks, the AAC demanded swift and transparent action from the police. Among their demands were the immediate redeployment of the DPO from Billiri LGA, disciplinary measures in accordance with police regulations, a formal public retraction and apology from the police command, and a review of procedural failures in the investigation.

“This petition is not just a call for punishment — it is a demand for justice, accountability, and institutional reform. No officer should be above the law. The soul of justice lies in truth, and the public must be assured that their safety and trust will not be traded for convenience or internal cover-ups,” the petition stated.

The party urged the Nigeria Police Force to show commitment to professionalism and public trust by acting on their complaints without delay.