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.
The candidates were said to be travelling to the training institution to commence their basic military training when the accident occurred.
According to SaharaReporters, military sources familiar with the incident disclosed that the journey was being coordinated under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel P.D. Ngal...To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
A military source said the victims had successfully passed the recruitment process and were heading to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria to begin their recruit training before the accident disrupted the journey.
“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 seen by our correspondent showed several injured candidates lying by the roadside and inside damaged vehicles as emergency responders and other travellers made frantic efforts to evacuate them.
Many of the injured candidates were subsequently rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the accident and the number of casualties had yet to be officially confirmed.
The source expressed concern that the accident could have serious implications for some of the injured candidates, noting that severe injuries sustained before or during military training could lead to disqualification from the recruitment exercise.
According to the source, recruits who suffer serious fractures or other injuries that prevent them from participating in the physically demanding training programme are usually withdrawn on medical grounds.
“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.
The Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria serves as the training institution for newly recruited soldiers, where successful applicants undergo months of intensive military training before being enlisted into the service.
Military sources explained that the recruits heading to the depot differ from cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy, who undergo officer training.
Instead, candidates posted to the Depot Nigerian Army are trained to become non-commissioned soldiers after successfully completing the recruitment process.
The Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the accident as of the time of filing this report.