The Nigerian Army 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Kwara State, has launched an investigation into the mysterious deaths of Lance Corporal Akenleye Femi and his wife, who were discovered lifeless in their apartment at the Wawa Cantonment in Niger State.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Stephen Nwankwo.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly threw the cantonment into confusion as soldiers and residents gathered near the couple’s apartment where the bodies were found.
A source familiar with the situation described the deceased officer as a calm and committed soldier but noted that he had appeared unusually withdrawn in recent weeks.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 said.
Another resident described the atmosphere within the barracks as “sombre and tense,” adding that the couple had been seen together the night before without any indication of conflict.
Military authorities have since cordoned off the area and restricted movement around the building pending the outcome of an official investigation.
Confirming the incident, Captain Nwankwo described it as tragic, noting that it happened inside the soldier’s apartment.
“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 explained that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were still unclear but confirmed that their remains had been deposited in a morgue for further examination.
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 condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, describing the incident as deeply regrettable.
“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,” Nwankwo stated.
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