The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two persons and injuries to 15 others following a road traffic accident involving candidates travelling for the 91 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) exercise to the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
In a statement on Saturday, the Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army said the accident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. on the Owerri–Port Harcourt Expressway, about two kilometres from Obinze Barracks in Imo State.
The Army said one of the buses conveying the candidates collided with a tipper truck while en route to Zaria.
According to the statement, one soldier, 13 recruitment candidates and the bus driver sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash.
It said, “The accident occurred at about 5:30 am, approximately two kilometres from Obinze Barracks along the Owerri–Port Harcourt Express Road, when one of the buses conveying the candidates was involved in a collision with a tipper truck.”
The statement added that the critically injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, while others were receiving treatment at the Brigade Medical Centre (BMC).
The Army, however, said the bus conductor and one recruitment candidate died despite efforts to save them.
It stated, “Regrettably, the bus conductor and one candidate succumbed to their injuries despite efforts to save their lives. Their families have been informed accordingly.”
The General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General OA Fadairo, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Army also disclosed that an investigation into the cause of the accident had commenced.
It added that arrangements had been made to ensure the safe movement of the remaining candidates to the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The statement urged members of the public to disregard unverified information circulating on social media about the incident.
“The public is encouraged to rely only on official statements issued by the Nigerian Army,” the statement added.
