SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday that witnesses blamed military checkpoints dotting the hill road for the fatal accident that claimed four lives and injured many others.
The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has reacted to the multiple auto crash that occurred on Tuesday at in Ugwu Onyeama axis of Enugu-Onitsha expressway, insisting that the crash was not caused by an army checkpoint.
SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday that witnesses blamed military checkpoints dotting the hill road for the fatal accident that claimed four lives and injured many others.
In videos of the accident that had gone viral on social media, the military checkpoints on the road were said to have contributed to the crash.
But reacting to the report in statement on Thursday, the Nigerian Army claimed that the accident happened 300 meters before the military base.
Accusing illegal miners and kidnappers in the area of doing everything to get rid of the checkpoint, the military authorities assured that it would continue to perform its constitutional roles of protecting lives and property within its area of responsibility.
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," it stated.
The statement added, "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 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."