- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier as others sustained injuries after a drunk driver rammed into troops attached to the Myhoung Barracks in Yaba, Lagos State.
In response to the incident which occured during the troops bi-annual route march on Friday, the Nigerian Army confirmed that the accident resulted in the death of a soldier, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni.
NPO earlier reported that the drunk driver had, in company of his two other friends suspected to be internet fraudsters, rammed into the troops with four feared dead.
Ayeni, however, disclosed that the deceased soldier has been deposited in the mortuary while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos.
He added that the 81 Division Military Police and other relevant security agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident.
“The General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded. The GOC also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced.
“The Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event.
“Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its area of operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate,” the statement partly read.