The Nigerian Army 22 Armoured Brigade in Ilorin, Kwara State, has launched an investigation into the murders of a soldier Lance Corporal Akenleye Femi and his wife, who were discovered in their flat in Wawa Cantonment, Niger State.
Captain Stephen Nwankwo, acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 22nd Armoured Brigade in Ilorin, confirmed this in a statement on Monday.
Chronicle NG gathered that the incident, which occurred at the Wawa Cantonment in Niger State on Saturday, threw the cantonment into confusion, as residents gathered around the block where the bodies were found.
A source who requested anonymity due to the nature of the incident informed our correspondent that the deceased officer was known to be calm and dedicated to duty but had become reclusive in recent weeks.
“He was not a troublesome person, but recently we noticed he wasn’t his usual self. Nobody knew it would end this way,” the source added.
Another local characterized the mood within the cantonment as “somber and tense,” stating that the pair had been spotted together the previous evening with no signs of difficulty.
Our source said that military authorities have subsequently roped off the area and limited movement near the building until further investigation.
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Nwankwo confirmed the occurrence on Monday, calling it regrettable and noting that it occurred inside the soldier’s quarters.
“The incident occurred on October 11, 2025, inside the soldier’s apartment at Block 15, Room 24, Corporals and Below Quarters within the cantonment.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Lance Corporal Femi, who was serving with the 221 Battalion, had been on duty within the barracks before seeking permission from his superior officers to attend to a personal matter.
“However, moments later, the bodies of the soldier and his wife were discovered in their apartment, causing panic among residents of the military facility.”
He also stated that the circumstances behind the death of the soldier and his wife could not yet be ascertained, while stressing that their bodies have been deposited at a morgue for further investigation.
Nwankwo added, “The tragic incident, which occurred at Wawa Cantonment, has caused a tense atmosphere, leaving the barracks residents in shock as to the circumstances that could have led to such an unfortunate event.
“The remains of the deceased have been preserved, while an in-depth investigation has since commenced to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.”
He expressed sadness over the development and extended condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased couple.
“The Army deeply regrets this sad incident and prays for the peaceful repose of their souls. We assure the public that the outcome of the investigation will be made public and necessary measures will be put in place to prevent future occurrences,” Captain Nwankwo said.
This incident comes amidst recent reports of military personnel involved in domestic violence.
Chronicle NG reported on Saturday that a soldier, Samson Haruna, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, died at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital after sustaining fire burns from an inferno on September 22, 2025.
