Six Killed in Stampede as Thousands Rush to Army Recruitment Centre
- Six people have died and several others injured during a Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise in Accra
- The stampede began when applicants forced their way through the El-Wak Stadium gates before the official screening began
- Military authorities have launched an investigation and assured that medical teams are attending to the injured
A military recruitment drive in Ghana ended in tragedy on Wednesday, November 12, after a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra claimed at least six lives and left many others injured.
The incident occurred shortly before the commencement of the 2025/2026 Ghana Armed Forces recruitment exercise.
Source: Getty Images
Authorities say the chaos began when a large number of applicants forced their way through the gates of the stadium at about 6:20am, breaching security arrangements in an attempt to gain entry ahead of the scheduled screening.
The surge of the crowd caused panic and led to a crush that resulted in multiple casualties.
Applicants rush gates, breach security control
In a statement issued by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that preliminary findings pointed to an unexpected rush of job seekers as the cause of the tragedy.
Source: Getty Images
Medical teams were immediately deployed to manage the emergency as victims were taken to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.
“The unfortunate incident led to the death of six potential recruits and many others injured. The injured are currently receiving emergency medical care at the 37 Military Hospital,” the statement read.
It added that efforts were ongoing to stabilize affected individuals and that the families of the deceased had been contacted.
Video of crowd struggling below:
Condolences and Ongoing Investigation
The military extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured the public of a full investigation into the incident.
“The Ghana Armed Forces extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to those injured. Further updates will be communicated,” Colonel Asamoah stated.
Recruitment exercises by Ghana’s security agencies frequently draw massive turnouts from young citizens hoping for stable employment in the face of widespread youth unemployment.
Nigerian Army Opens Fresh Recruitment
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Army has officially announced the commencement of applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 49/2026, inviting eligible Nigerians to apply for commission as officers.
The recruitment drive, which began on 15 October 2025, is open to both civilians and serving military personnel who meet the stipulated qualifications. The application window will close on 12 November 2025.
According to the Nigerian Army, successful candidates will undergo military training and, upon commissioning, will serve exclusively in the Combat Arms, namely the Infantry and Armour Corps, and the Combat Support Arms, which include the Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence Corps.
How to check customs service shortlist 2025
Legit.ng earlier reported that as anticipation grew around the Nigeria Customs Service recruitment process, applicants have been advised to stay alert for updates regarding the 2025 shortlist.
Although the official list of shortlisted candidates was yet to be released, the Customs Service outlined clear steps for applicants to follow in preparation.
According to the Nigeria Customs Service, applicants were expected to monitor their registered email addresses closely and visit the official recruitment portal at updates.customs.gov.ng for any announcements.
Source: Legit.ng
