Gombe State is in deep sorrow today, October 25, 2025, as Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya led the people to bury two important men: Col. Abdullahi Bello (retd.), the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, and his driver. Both died after a terrible road accident. The burial brought together many people, including government officials, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens, to say goodbye to these men who served Gombe with all their hearts.
The accident happened yesterday, October 24, 2025, on the Kwami–Malam Sidi–Gombe road. Col. Bello was coming back from Maiduguri, where he attended a meeting to plan how to bring peace to the North-East. He was with his police orderly, Corporal Adamu Hussaini Gamawa, and their driver. Sadly, the crash was so bad that Col. Bello and the police orderly died right there. The driver was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries but passed away today. The Gombe Police, through their spokesperson DSP Buhari Abdullahi, shared their sadness, calling the men “heroes who worked hard for our safety.”
The burial prayers for Col. Bello took place at the Emir’s Palace in Gombe. Many people came to pray and show their respect. Governor Yahaya, who left his work in Abuja to be there, spoke about how much Col. Bello meant to Gombe. He called him a strong and honest leader who used his military experience to keep Gombe peaceful. The driver’s burial also followed Islamic traditions, and people remembered him as a hardworking man who supported the commissioner’s duties.
Col. Bello was from Balanga and was known for his good work. He helped make Gombe one of the safest states in the North-East by working with police and other security groups. People loved him because he was kind and always ready to help. The driver, though not as famous, was also important, making sure Col. Bello could do his job. At the burial, people cried and shared stories of how these men touched their lives.
This accident has made people talk about the bad condition of the Kwami–Malam Sidi–Gombe road. Many say it’s too narrow and not well-kept, causing accidents. Community leaders are now asking the government to fix the road and make it safer so that no more lives are lost. Everyone agrees that something must be done to protect travelers.
Gombe is mourning deeply. The government has lowered flags to show respect, and people from all over Nigeria are sending messages of condolence. Governor Yahaya prayed for Allah to forgive Col. Bello and the driver and grant them Jannah (paradise). He also asked for strength for their families and the people of Gombe, especially in Balanga, where Col. Bello was from.
