*FRSC Says Four Died, 25 Rescued Alive, Orders Prosecution Of Truck Driver

THE Nigerian Army has denied the report that its checkpoint on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway was the cause of an accident that occurred on the road on Wednesday, June 12, which claimed lives and property.

The Army also dismissed the report that the accident, involving multiple vehicles, claimed 25 lives, saying only two acttually died at the scene of the crash.

 This is just as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said its operatives rescued 25 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) victims alive from the crash, while four were confirmed dead.

In a post on X, the Army said: “The attention of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to the news circulating in some mainstream and social media platforms attributing the Division’s checkpoint at Ugwu Onyeama as the cause of an unfortunate and tragic accident that claimed 25 lives on 11 June 2024.

“On receipt of the information from an online journalist that sought clarification about the incident, he was informed one-off that the Division does not have a checkpoint there, but rather, it has a Location/Base by the roadside to curb the incessant kidnappings the area was hitherto known for.

“This report is inaccurate and full of falsehood that are meant to tarnish the appreciable efforts of the troops. It is, therefore, necessary to set the records straight.” 

It explained: “First, the Division wishes to condole and commiserate with the families whose loved ones were involved in the tragic incident and also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.

“It would be recalled that the rehabilitation of the road was concluded in December and the road opened in first quarter of this year. Since then, the troops only have a base and the barriers used for the checkpoint were removed.

“Due to the steep gradient of the road, the section has remained problematic since the 1990s before, during and after the checkpoints were removed. The accident that occurred happened about 300 metres ahead of the soldiers’ base.   

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident occurred due to a brake failure of a trailer coming down slope from 9th Mile axis. The trailer rammed into other incoming vehicles from Enugu and not those coming from same axis of 9th Mile with it. Hence, the crash was a head-on and not a rear collision. Thus, the soldiers never stopped any vehicle on the road for any checking, but served as a responders to the accident.

“Also, while loss of any life is unfortunate, however, only two people died at the scene of the accident and not 25 cases being reported. It is disheartening to accuse the military of causing the accident.

“The Division is not unaware of the efforts of the kidnappers and illegal miners in the area to get rid of the checkpoint. The law abiding citizens are once again assured of the commitment of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, to continue to serve them, as the Nigerian Army remains the peoples’ Army.

“The general public is hereby enjoined to disregard the report, as it is not the actual account of what happened. The Division will continue to perform its constitutional roles of protecting lives and property within its area of responsibility.”

Meanwhile, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, has called for investigation and speedy prosecution of the driver responsible for the crash.

In a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Wednesday, June 12, in Abuja, said the accident  occurred about 1900hrs (7pm) and preliminary crash investigation report revealed that it was caused by speed violation.

The FRSC said the crash involved seven vehicles, comprising a black Toyota Matrix, with registration number ENU742NL; a white Suzuki Hijet mini bus, ENU982XY; a Custom Toyota Highlander jeep, JRV247HK; a blue Toyota Corolla, UWN16AP; a Toyota Rav 4; a Red Mack Tanker and a Mazda vehicle.

It stated that its emergency rescue teams deployed to carryout rescue operations reported that the crash involved a total of 29 people, comprising 20 male adults and nine female adults, adding: “From the number, 10 victims, comprising eight male adults and two females, sustained different degrees of injuries. Unfortunately, four victims were killed as a result of the crash.

“FRSC investigation report indicates that of the four fatalities recorded, two victims were killed on the spot, while the remaining two died in the hospital.

“The injured victims were rescued to Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, while the dead bodies have been deposited in Park Lane Hospital morgue.”

The corps marshal reaffirmed the Corps’ position on deepening its ongoing prosecution of drivers who by their actions caused road traffic crashes in Nigeria, assuring that the driver responsible for the Ugwu Onyeama crash would not be spared.