By Frankie Ifop
A heavy duty truck has killed a Nigerian Army officer of the Amphibious Training School (ATS) in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
PARADISE NEWS gathered that the incident occurred on Monday (November 9, 2020) morning at about 7:25am at Ikot Ansa Bus Stop along Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar Municipality local government area.
Eyewitnesses said the Army officer was trying to overtake the truck which belongs to Flour Mills (Niger Mills) when the truck rammed into him, thereby killing him on the spot.
“The truck was coming from 8 miles and was on the speed lane. Immediately I saw the army man on a motorcycle speeding, I knew something bad will happen – and before I could say Jack Robinson, I heard a loud vehicular break sound and everyone was shouting ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
“Before we could look ahead, we saw the army officer lying death in his uniform. At first, we were praying for him to be alive but those who tried to help him confirmed he was already death due to the hit from the truck.
“The truck driver ran away immediately he hit the army man. The accident happened about 25 minutes past 7 o’clock this morning at Ikot Ansa Bus Stop where we use to board taxis to Watt Market and other places”, an eyewitness who did not disclose her name told PARADISE NEWS.
Our Reporter further gathered that the Amphibious Training School (ATS) of the Nigerian Army, Ekorinim, Calabar has carried the Corpse of the officer off the road and now after the truck driver that killed him.
“Some soldiers came here after the incident and carried the dead body of the army man. They arrested one of the Flour Mills truck driver that was also coming into the town and took him away. They later came back with him and took him alongside his truck.
“Now, all trucks belonging to Flour Mills, when they heard about the incident, they started packing by the roadside. You can see about three trucks lining up the road already. No one wants to drive because of the fear of being arrested by the Army”, a source who spoke under anonymity told PARADISE NEWS.
When contacted, Everest Ochienta, Public Relations Officer, Amphibious Training School (ATS) of the Nigerian Army, said he is yet to be briefed, adding that, “I will get back to you when I am briefed about the information”.
At the time of filing this report, most Flour Mills truck drivers are parking their vehicles and hanging around, waiting for an order from above. Meanwhile, calm has returned to the place and residents are going about their businesses, peacefully.