The Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has noted the viral video regarding the unfortunate death of a soldier at Ikorodu general area of Lagos State. Without prejudice to the ongoing investigation into the incident, it is necessary to provide preliminary information on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army “On 16 November 2025, at about 4:00 pm, 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. The situation was swiftly brought under control by other soldiers at the scene, who neutralized the attacker and recovered the soldiers’ weapon. The injured soldier was evacuated to Ikorodu General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was subsequently buried according to Islamic rite with the Acting Commanding Officer and other officers of the unit in attendance.
The 81 Division Nigerian Army has conveyed condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the deceased soldier. We pray for the repose of his soul and appreciate his service to the nation. The Division has also instituted an investigation into the incident.
We urge the public to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities to the relevant security agencies. We also appeal for responsible reporting on this incident, allowing our investigation to run its course.