On the eve of Easter, the Gombe Police Command successfully intervened to prevent a potentially dangerous situation involving a procession of Boys Brigade squad members and youths near a mosque.
The incident, occurring five years after a similar one resulted in fatalities, saw the brigade squad being pelted with stones, leading to the destruction of their drums and injuries to some members.
Approximately 300 individuals from various ECWA churches, including parishioners from Nazareth Nayi Nawa, Pantami, Bagadaza, and Macedonia, were reportedly attacked by suspected hoodlums and miscreants during their peaceful Easter procession.
The confrontation took place near a mosque in Jekadafari, known for its history of extremism and crime.
An eyewitness lamented the violent actions of the youths, describing an unprovoked assault on the procession as they passed by the mosque.
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Despite assertions of a coordinated attack, Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman, characterized the incident as a misunderstanding rather than a targeted assault. He explained that a disagreement arose when the procession coincided with Muslims’ night prayers during Ramadan.
The CP clarified that a good Samaritan alerted the police to the brewing tension, allowing for timely intervention. While some members of the procession diverted their route upon encountering resistance, others insisted on continuing, leading to a confrontation and stone-throwing.
Despite the clash, only one woman was reported injured, receiving treatment and subsequently discharged from the hospital. Usman assured the public that the situation was under control, with minimal injuries reported.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between residents and law enforcement to prevent such misunderstandings, urging organizers to involve the police in event planning to ensure peaceful outcomes.
