This position was communicated by the Gombe Police Command Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, on Friday.

The Gombe State Police Command has announced the completion of its investigation into the Easter Day killings in Billiri, Gombe State.

This position was communicated by the Gombe Police Command Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, on Friday.

"Following a thorough investigation, including scene analysis, evidence review, and vehicle inspection by the Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), the case has now been concluded and is being forwarded for prosecution," the statement read in part.

He stated, “The driver of the truck, one Usman Muhammed, 28 years old of Afghanistan Quarters, has been formally charged with inconsiderate driving and causing death by dangerous driving. The matter will proceed to court. The Chief Magistrate Court 7 will be handling the legal proceedings.”

“We extend our appreciation to all members of the public who provided information and support during the investigation,” he added.

The state police command said additional inquiries or relevant information should be directed to the “officer in charge of the State Motor Traffic Department at the Police Area Command, Gombe, Gombe State”.

The police spokesman also promised to share further updates as the legal process continues.

Earlier, the police command stated that the truck, which ploughed into the Easter celebrants, killing five persons and injuring many others, lost control.

Following public outcry and allegations of a cover-up, the Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, ordered a full-scale investigation into the accident.

The governor gave the directive in a statement issued by his office.

"This is a dark and painful moment for the families affected and for all of us as a people. On behalf of the government and people of Gombe State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and pray for the swift and full recovery of those currently receiving treatment," he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Christian community in Billiri and beyond, as well as with all those affected by this tragedy."

"As a government, we are committed to ensuring that the victims receive the best possible medical care. We will come out of this tragedy more united,” the governor stated, calling for calm and collective healing.

Eyewitnesses had earlier vehemently rejected the official narrative provided by the police regarding the Easter Monday tragedy.

Residents and witnesses alleged it was a deliberate attack meant to instil fear and disrupt future Easter observances.

SaharaReporters initially reported that a truck transporting goods veered off its course and ploughed into the annual Easter march. However, after a video of the incident went viral and more testimonies emerged, suspicions about the true nature of the event deepened, prompting calls for further investigation.

According to Yusuff Haskee, former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Youth Wing) in Gombe State, the incident was anything but accidental.

"This is a long-standing tradition that begins on Sunday evening and concludes after Monday service,” Haskee said. “We always inform security agencies well in advance. So, where were they when this happened?”

Haskee added: "This wasn’t a brake failure — it was a calculated act of intimidation against Christians.”

Another eyewitness, Usman, expressed similar doubts, saying, "If the driver lost control, did he also lose the ability to honk? Why didn’t he warn the crowd? The truck came silently from behind — no horn, no signal — just straight into the people. Then it stopped on its own, just ten metres ahead. That’s not an accident. That’s evil.”

Three Tangale socio-cultural organisations — the Tangale Community Development Association (TCDA), Kwagam Tangale Socio-Cultural Association (KTSCA), and Tangale Community Overseas (TCO) — also accused the state government and the police of negligence and misinformation over the tragic killing of the Easter celebrants.

In a joint statement delivered by TCDA National President, Danladi Bako, the groups expressed deep outrage over what they described as a “wanton loss of innocent lives” and a “callous and biased police narrative.”