The Nigerian Army says Lance Corporal Akenleye Femi, serving with the 221 Battalion at Wawa Cantonment in Niger, killed his wife before taking his own life on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday by Stephen Nwankwo, spokesman for the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, the army said the killings occurred at Block 15, Room 24, Corporals and Below Quarters within the Wawa Cantonment.

“Lance Corporal Femi and his wife were suddenly found dead in their apartment,” the statement said. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the soldier was on duty within the Cantonment, and had sought permission from his superior to attend to personal needs and return to duty. This followed the discovery of the dead bodies lying in their apartment.”

The army said the bodies of the deceased have been preserved, while an in-depth investigation has commenced to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The NA deeply regrets this, while it commiserates with the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased over the painful loss,” the statement added. “The army also prays for the peaceful repose of their souls.”

The commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ezra Barkins, assured the public that the army would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and make its findings public.

“The circumstances that led to the sad incident will be thoroughly investigated, and the outcome relayed to the general public accordingly,” Mr Barkins said in the statement.

The statement urged Nigerians to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to take its course, assuring that necessary measures would be implemented to prevent a recurrence of such tragic events.

The army has recently faced growing scrutiny over the welfare and mental health of its personnel, with citizens calling for stronger psychosocial support systems for soldiers and their families to reduce incidents of depression, violence, and self-harm within military formations.