By Matthew Tabe and Nicholas Ojo
A Corporal in the Nigerian Army, Abayomi Ebun, has crushed to death the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, NAFRC, Director of Finance, Brig. Gen. James, with his car.
Brigadier-General Audu Ogbole James was hit by his junior colleague in Oshodi, Lagos on Tuesday night.
Cpl. Ebun, who works at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, NARC, knocked down the NAFRC Finance Director, while driving out of the Barracks.
Immediately after the incident, the senior officer was swiftly evacuated to the NAFRC Medical Center, where doctors at the Centre confirmed him dead.
Gen. James, Quest Times gathered, was said to be walking to his house within the Barracks when the corporal soldier’s car hit him from behind.
A source at the NAFRC Barracks told newsmen that Ebun was drunk at the time the incident occurred, and was driving recklessly.
“He has been detained by the NAFRC provost for further investigation,” said the source.
The Nigerian Army is yet to comment on the incident.
The spokesperson for the Force, Onyema Nwachukwu, a Brigadier General, did not respond to requests for comments and is yet to return phone calls seeking comments.
Until his death, Brigadier General James was a senior member of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps. He had Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting as well as a Master of Business Administration in Finance.
****
Nicholas Ojo reports that the deceased was reportedly walking to his residence when the corporal driving an SUV with number plate EKY 177 FX, hit him.
Immediately after the accident, the General was rushed to the NAFRC Medical Centre where he was certified dead.
Ebun was said to be under alcoholic influence at the time of the accident.
Corporal Ebun, it is learnt, has since been picked up and is currently in detention at the NAFRC as the Provost Marshals has commenced an investigation into the matter.
No comment yet on the incident from the Army authorities despite several enquiries to the spokesperson to the Force, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu.
In a statement, James’ colleagues at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, described the loss as shocking.
“Our indefatigable, humble, friendly bridge builder, the Monitor General SEC 40 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Brig Gen AO JAMES, mni just departed. He died from injuries sustained from a knock down on the road yesterday (15/11/22) evening in Lagos.”
“May his soul rest in peace. Our condolences to the family, AANI especially the SEC 40. May the Lord console all and grant the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. So sad,” read the statement signed by ACM Kayode Olagunju.
The late General who had first and second degrees in Accounting and Finance was a fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).
He held memberships of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Nigerian Institute of Directors (MIoD), Chartered Institute of Taxation (ACTI), and the National Institute (mni).