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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
A road traffic accident involving a bus conveying candidates for the Nigerian Army’s 91 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) has left two people dead and several others injured, the Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has confirmed.
The incident occurred in the early hours of last Saturday, at about 5:30am, approximately two kilometres from Obinze Barracks, along the Owerri-Port Harcourt Express Road.
An official statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed that the bus was en route to Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, when it collided with a tipper truck.
Army authorities said the crash resulted in multiple casualties. One soldier, 13 candidates, and the bus driver sustained varying degrees of injuries.
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Critically injured victims were immediately evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, while others are receiving treatment at the Brigade Medical Centre (BMC).
Regrettably, the bus conductor and one recruit candidate died from their injuries despite medical efforts. The Army said their families have been notified.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General O.A. Fadairo, has extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the deceased. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident has commenced. The Division said arrangements have been made to ensure the safe onward movement of the remaining candidates to Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The 82 Division urged the public to disregard “misleading or unverified information circulating on social media” about the crash. It called on citizens to rely only on official statements from the Nigerian Army.
