Several candidates recently shortlisted for recruitment into the Nigerian Army from Imo State have sustained varying degrees of injuries after the vehicle conveying them to the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, Kaduna State, was involved in a road accident on Saturday morning, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Military sources told SaharaReporters that the victims were among successful recruitment candidates travelling to the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, where they were expected to commence their basic military training as recruits.
According to a credible military source familiar with the incident, the journey was being coordinated under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel P.D. Ngal when the accident occurred.
“The candidates from Imo State were on their way to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria to begin their recruit training when the accident happened this morning,” the source said.
Videos obtained by SaharaReporters showed several injured candidates lying on the roadside and inside vehicles, with emergency responders and other travellers struggling to evacuate them. Many of the victims were later rushed to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.
The exact cause of the accident and the total number of casualties could not be immediately confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
The Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria serves as the training institution for newly recruited soldiers, where successful applicants undergo months of rigorous military training before being enlisted into the service.
Military sources explained that unlike cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), who undergo officer training, those heading to the Depot Nigerian Army are recruits preparing to become non-commissioned soldiers.
The source further disclosed that the accident could have serious implications for many of the injured candidates, as recruits who sustain severe injuries before or during training are often disqualified from the recruitment programme on medical grounds.
According to the source, candidates who suffer serious fractures or other injuries that prevent them from completing the physically demanding training are typically withdrawn from the exercise, even if they had successfully passed the recruitment process.
“The Army will not train candidates with severe injuries. If a recruit sustains a serious injury, such as a broken leg, and cannot complete the training, the person may be disqualified,” the source explained.
(SaharaReporters)