The African Action Congress (AAC), Gombe State Chapter, has issued a scathing petition demanding an immediate investigation into the alleged misconduct of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Billiri Division, accusing him of shielding the driver responsible for the horrific Easter Sunday truck tragedy.
The incident, which unfolded on April 21st, 2025, during a Christian Easter procession in Billiri Local Government Area, saw a truck plow into a crowd of worshippers, leaving multiple fatalities and scores injured in its wake — a tragedy that shook the state to its core.
In a petition signed by Bobo Benson Bagwiba, Chairman of the AAC Gombe State Chapter, and addressed to the Gombe State Commissioner of Police — with copies forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Police Service Commission, the Zonal Assistant Inspector-General, and the Gombe State Director of the Department of State Services — the party accused the Billiri DPO of deliberate misinformation, gross misconduct, and breach of public trust.
Rather than allowing a professional, fact-based investigation to unfold, AAC alleged, the DPO hastily released a “false brake failure narrative,” absolving the driver of culpability without any technical inspection or expert analysis.
“The DPO, without due diligence, prematurely claimed that the truck lost control due to a suspected brake failure. This version was subsequently discredited when, just days later, the police issued a second press statement on April 25th charging the driver with causing death by dangerous and inconsiderate driving — thus exposing the initial narrative as baseless,” the AAC stated.
Eyewitness accounts, the petition highlighted, painted a chillingly different picture: that the driver had deliberately rammed into the crowd. However, AAC asserted, these critical testimonies were either ignored or never formally recorded, while the crime scene was allegedly left unsecured and key evidence mishandled.
“The DPO’s actions amount to deliberate misinformation, dereliction of duty, and conduct capable of exacerbating community tensions,” the AAC charged. “By misleading the public and obstructing justice, he breached the sacred trust vested in him to protect lives and maintain peace.”
Citing numerous violations of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 — including breaches of Sections 4, 24, 32(1), and 66(1) — the AAC accused the DPO of flouting statutory obligations regarding duty, officer conduct, accountability, and offences by police officers.
Furthermore, the petition rooted its demands in constitutional provisions, notably Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which declares the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government. It also cited Section 15(5) on the abolition of corrupt practices and abuse of power, and Section 39(1), which guarantees citizens’ right to accurate information.
“Falsehoods from law enforcement are not mere administrative blunders; they strike at the very heart of democracy, accountability, and public safety,” the party warned.
The AAC demanded swift and decisive action, including:
Immediate redeployment of the Billiri DPO,
Institution of disciplinary measures in line with police regulations,
Public retraction and apology by the Gombe State Police Command,
A comprehensive review of procedural failures that tainted the initial investigation.
“This petition is not merely a cry for punitive measures. It is a call for justice, for truth, and for the restoration of public confidence in the Nigerian Police Force,” the AAC emphasized. “No officer, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to place personal interests or institutional cover-ups above the rights and lives of Nigerian citizens. The soul of justice lies in the truth.”
officer, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to place personal interests or institutional cover-ups above the rights and lives of Nigerian citizens. The soul of justice lies in the truth.”
The party urged the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to professionalism, transparency, and public trust by acting decisively — and without delay.
PIONEER NEWS 