The Headquarters 81 Division, Nigerian Army, has confirmed the death of a soldier who was fatally assaulted by a mentally unstable individual in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, disclosed this in a statement following a viral video circulating on social media about the incident.
According to the statement, the tragic event occurred on 16 November 2025, at about 4:00 p.m., when a soldier deployed for internal security operations attempted to calm a chaotic situation involving the assailant. During the intervention, the mentally unstable individual attacked the soldier with a heavy wooden log, delivering a forceful blow to his head.
Other soldiers on duty immediately intervened, neutralizing the attacker and recovering the soldier’s weapon. The injured personnel was rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites, with the Acting Commanding Officer and other officers of his unit present.
The 81 Division expressed deep condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen soldier, praying for the repose of his soul and acknowledging his dedicated service to the nation. It also confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched to uncover further details surrounding the incident.
The Division urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies. It also appealed for responsible reporting on the matter, emphasizing the need to allow the ongoing investigation to run its course.
