Ten people were killed and more than 30 injured when a policeman rammed his car into a group of children during an Easter procession in northeast Nigeria , before being killed himself by the angry crowd, witnesses and police sources told AFP Monday.

The deadly incident happened late Sunday when the off – duty policeman ploughed his car into a procession celebrating Easter in Gombe , state police spokeswoman Mary Mallum said .

“ Ten people were killed , including the policeman and a paramilitary member who was with him , ” Mallum said.

“ We learnt the policeman and his friend who were not in uniform were attacked and killed by the angry crowd,” she said.

“ Another 30 children were injured and are currently in hospital while the investigation is ongoing ,” Mallum said.

According to witnesses at the scene contacted by AFP , the driver deliberately drove the car into the crowd following an altercation over the procession blocking the road.

“ The driver of the car had a heated argument with the children before they made way for him to pass, only for him , in a fit of rage, to turn and drive into them ,” said Isaac Kwadang , head of the Boys Brigade in Gombe .
“ He did it on purpose , ” Kwadang said.

Religious processions are common by Christian and Muslim adherents during festivities and religious observances in Nigeria in which roads are blocked , causing traffic chaos .

In December 2016 at least 13 Muslim school children were killed when a bus skidded off the road and rammed into a procession marking the birthday of Prophet Mohammed in Malam Side village, 20 kilometres from Gombe .