A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday, 11th October, 2025 at the Wawa Military Cantonment in New Bussa, Kainji, Niger State, when a soldier, Lance Corporal Femi Akinleye, 18NA/77/1173 allegedly shot and killed his wife, Blessing, before turning the gun on himself.
The incident, which occurred around 11:30 a.m., has once again drawn attention to the mental health crisis and welfare challenges within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
According to a military signal obtained by SpyeTV News, Akinleye, a personnel of the 221 Battalion of the 22 Armoured Brigade, was on barracks duty when he committed the act.
“At about 111130A OCT 25, 18NA/77/1173 LCPL Akinleye Femi, a personnel of 221BN Wawa Cantonment who was on barracks duty, reportedly committed suicide after killing his wife Blessing at 221BN CBQ Block 15 Room 24. Their remains have been deposited at the 221BN Medical Reception Station. Further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the incident,” the signal read.
The Wawa Cantonment, notorious for detaining hundreds of Boko Haram suspects over the years, has now become the scene of a grim domestic tragedy.
NIGERIAN ARMY'S REACTION
The 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army has confirmed the tragic death of a soldier, Lance Corporal Akinleye Femi, who allegedly killed his wife before taking his own life at the Wawa Military Cantonment, New Bussa, Niger State.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Captain Stephen Nwankwo, the unfortunate incident occurred on 11 October 2025, leaving residents of the barracks in shock.
The statement revealed that the bodies of the soldier and his wife were found in their apartment at Block 15, Room 24, Corporals and Below Quarters within the Cantonment. Preliminary findings indicated that Lance Corporal Femi, who was on duty within the base, had earlier sought permission from his superior to attend to personal matters before the tragic discovery was made.
Captain Nwankwo disclosed that the remains of the deceased have been preserved, while an in-depth investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Nigerian Army deeply regrets this unfortunate development and commiserates with the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased over the painful loss. We pray for the peaceful repose of their souls,” the statement read in part.
The Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, has assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and that the outcome will be made public. He also pledged that the Army would put measures in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Nigerian Army appealed for understanding and cooperation from the public while the investigation continues.
A Growing Pattern of Despair
While the motive behind Akinleye’s actions remains unclear, military insiders and analysts say the recurring cases of suicide and violent outbursts among service members point to a deeper systemic problem — particularly poor welfare, overstretched deployment cycles, and lack of adequate psychological support.
Some soldiers deployed in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast have in the past lamented poor working conditions, lack of rotation, and the absence of mental health services after exposure to prolonged combat stress.
A soldier who spoke on condition of anonymity said,
“Many of us are depressed. We stay in the same operational zones for years without leave or rotation. Some of our colleagues return home mentally unstable. The system doesn’t care — they just replace you if you break down.”
Corruption Allegations and Loss of Morale
The issue of corruption within the military hierarchy has also been cited as a contributing factor to low morale. Some rank-and-file soldiers allege that the diversion of operational funds and poor leadership practices have further eroded confidence in the institution.
A few described the army as “an epitome of deep-seated corruption,” claiming that funds meant for operations and welfare rarely reach those on the frontlines.
This sense of helplessness, combined with mental strain, has reportedly pushed some officers to the brink.
A Disturbing Trend of Suicides in the Military
The Wawa tragedy adds to a growing list of suicides involving Nigerian military personnel in recent years:
- November 2023: Captain Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza of the Nigerian Army reportedly took his life in Akwa Ibom State after leaving behind a note alleging mistreatment by his commander.
- June 2023: A female officer of the Nigerian Air Force, simply identified as George, was found dead in her residence at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos.
- March 2021: A soldier, Bello Useni, serving at the Nigerian Army School of Armour in Bauchi, also committed suicide.
- September 2020: A Lance Corporal attached to the 27 Task Force Brigade, Buni Gari, Yobe State, ended his life while on duty.
- July 2020: A soldier in the 202 Battalion, Bama, Borno State, shot and killed a lieutenant who had refused to grant him leave before taking his own life.
- 2019–2017: Multiple suicides were recorded in Abuja and other parts of the country involving soldiers frustrated by disciplinary and welfare-related issues.
Calls for Mental Health Reform in the Military
Security analysts have called for urgent reforms in the military’s approach to mental health, suggesting that psychological evaluation, therapy, and decompression programs be made mandatory for troops returning from high-stress operations.
A retired colonel, who spoke anonymously, said:
“You can’t keep sending the same soldiers to fight insurgents year after year without psychological relief. They’re human beings, not machines. The Army must institutionalize mental health care if we want to prevent more of these tragedies.”
A Silent War Within
While the Nigerian Army continues to fight insurgents and bandits across multiple fronts, another silent war — against depression, trauma, and neglect — seems to be raging within the ranks.
Until mental health and welfare are treated as national security priorities, tragedies like that of Lance Corporal Femi Akinleye and his wife Blessing may sadly continue to recur.