Ikorodu Tragedy: Mentally Unstable Man Kills Soldier on Duty – Army

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier who was attacked by a mentally unstable man on Sunday in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

A viral video shared on social media showed the soldier’s lifeless body lying in a pool of blood beside the attacker, who appeared in tattered clothing. Some voices in the footage claimed that the assailant had shot the soldier with his rifle.

However, the Army has dismissed those claims. In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, the military explained that the soldier was not shot, but was struck on the head with a heavy log by the mentally unstable attacker.

Yahaya said the soldier, who was deployed for internal security operations in the Imota area of Ikorodu, had attempted to calm a chaotic situation when the attacker suddenly struck from behind.

He stated:

“Without prejudice to the ongoing investigation into the incident, it is necessary to provide preliminary information on the circumstances surrounding the incident. On November 16, 2025, about 4 p.m., one of the soldiers deployed for internal security duty in the Imota area of Ikorodu, while attempting to de-escalate a chaotic situation, was attacked by a mentally unstable individual. The attacker struck the soldier on the head with a heavy log, causing severe injury.”

Yahaya added that other soldiers quickly intervened, neutralising the attacker and recovering their colleague’s remains.

“The situation was brought under control by other soldiers at the scene, who neutralised the attacker and recovered the soldier’s body,” he said.

The Army assured the public that a thorough investigation was already underway to uncover the full details of the incident and ensure necessary action is taken.