42 soldiers killed in road crash while returning from training
At least 42 personnel of the Niger Republic armed forces have died in a fatal road accident involving two buses near Doukou Doukou, a distance of about 55 kilometres from Madaoua.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism publication, security sources said the accident occurred on Friday, August 7.
The victims were reportedly assistant non-commissioned officers who completed their training on Thursday and were travelling when the two buses were involved in the crash.
Security sources said eighteen other personnel remain in critical condition and are reportedly in comas following the accident.
It stated that the circumstances surrounding the crash were not immediately clear.
Makama said the incident raised questions over the transportation arrangements for military personnel.
The publication said there were claims that the soldiers were being conveyed in buses operated by a private company despite the army reportedly having its own troop transport vehicles.
The publication said the allegations of corruption surrounding the use of the private transport service could not be independently verified.
Makama said that the tragedy is expected to trigger renewed scrutiny of military logistics, troop transportation and safety standards, particularly for newly trained personnel.
It said it could not independently verify the reported casualty figures and the allegations concerning the choice of transport at the time of filing this report.
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