The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports blaming an accident that claimed 25 lives at Egwu Onyeama, Enugu State, on Tuesday, on a
checkpoint mounted by the 82 Division, Enugu.

The Headquarters 82 Division of Nigerian army maintained it does not have a checkpoint at the location of the accident.

According to the Division, the accident that occurred on Tuesday happened about 300m ahead of the soldiers’ base.

It added that preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was due to brake failure.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, the Division commiserated with families whose loved ones were involved in the incident, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The statement reads: “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.

“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 have remained problematic since the 1990s before, during and after the checkpoints were removed.

“The accident that occured yesterday happened about 300m 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 responder to the accident.

“Also, while loss of any life is unfortunate, however, only 2 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.”