The Nigerian Army has denied that the checkpoint mounted by officers at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha highway was responsible for the multiple auto crashes that claimed lives on Tuesday evening.
About two persons died while 10 others sustained serious injuries.
Timely assistance from road users and the Federal Road Safety Corps led to the rescue of 25 other passengers trapped in the incident.
The development drew reactions as many blamed the soldiers for mounting checkpoints in the area.
They alleged that the soldiers blocked the rehabilitated lane on the dual carriageway and subjected motorists to using the dilapidated lane, which was further narrowed with logs of wood.
But reacting to the allegations in a statement sent to The Guardian, Acting Deputy Director, 82 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, said there was no truth in the claim.
He said: “The attention of Headquarters, 82 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to the news circulating in some mainstream and social media platforms, blaming the Division’s checkpoint at Ugwu Onyeama as the cause of an unfortunate and tragic accident that claimed lives on June 11, 2024.
“On receipt of the information early this morning from an online journalist that sought clarification, 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 falsehoods 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 with the families whose loved ones were involved in the tragic incident and also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured.”
He added: “It would be recalled that the rehabilitation of the road was concluded in December, and the road opened in the 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 happened at about 3:00 a.m., ahead of the soldiers’ base… preliminary investigation revealed that it occurred due to a brake failure of a trailer coming down the slope from the 9th Mile axis.”
