The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of one of its personnel, Lance Corporal Akenleye Femi, who allegedly killed his wife and then took his own life at the Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident happened on Friday, October 11, 2025, inside the 221 Battalion quarters within the military base.
According to a statement by Captain Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, the tragic event took place at Block 15, Room 24 of the “Corporals and Below Quarters” in the barracks.
Captain Nwankwo explained that Lance Corporal Femi, who was on duty that day, requested permission from his superior officers to attend to a personal matter. However, he did not return to his post.
“When fellow soldiers noticed his absence for an unusual period, they went to his apartment to check on him. There, they found the lifeless bodies of the soldier and his wife,” the statement said.
The Army spokesperson added that the remains of the couple have been preserved, and a detailed investigation is ongoing to determine what led to the tragic event.
Describing the development as “sad and regrettable,” the Army extended condolences to the family members, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. It also assured the public that necessary steps would be taken to get to the root of the matter.
The Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, also spoke on the incident. He said the Army was treating the case with all seriousness and had already launched a thorough investigation.
“This is a painful and unfortunate incident. We are committed to uncovering the full details, and we will make our findings public when the investigation is complete,” he stated.
He further appealed to the public and media for understanding and support during the ongoing investigation. “The Nigerian Army deeply regrets this sad occurrence and is working hard to prevent such incidents in the future,” the commander said.
Although the motive behind the murder-suicide is not yet known, unconfirmed reports suggest the couple may have had personal or domestic issues. However, the Army has not officially confirmed this and has urged the public to avoid speculation.
This incident has raised fresh concerns about the mental health and emotional well-being of military personnel. Soldiers often operate under pressure, face prolonged deployments, and sometimes lack access to proper psychological support.
As the Army continues its investigation, many Nigerians are watching closely, hoping for answers and solutions that will help prevent a repeat of such a tragedy.
