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.

Naijaonpoint reports that a viral video circulating on social media showed the lifeless soldier lying in a pool of blood beside the body of the attacker, who appeared in torn clothing.

Voices heard in the footage claimed that the assailant had shot the soldier with his rifle.

However, in a statement released by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, the Army dismissed the claim that the soldier was shot.

Yahaya explained that the soldier, deployed for internal security operations in the Imota axis of Ikorodu, was struck on the head with a heavy log by the mentally unstable attacker.

According to the statement, the troops were responding to a chaotic situation when the attacker launched the fatal assault.

“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,” the Army stated.

Yahaya further noted that the situation was promptly contained by other soldiers at the scene.

“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 investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure appropriate action is taken.

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