A tense scene unfolded in Lagos on Monday after a mentally unstable man snatched an AK-47 rifle from a soldier stationed at a routine checkpoint and fatally shot him in a shocking and chaotic attack that stunned passersby.
The incident, which occurred along a busy corridor in the state, threw the area into panic as commuters scampered for safety amidst sudden gunfire. Witnesses said the man, believed to be mentally unstable, launched a surprise assault on the unsuspecting soldier before seizing his service rifle.
Before security personnel could overpower him, the attacker fired shots, fatally wounding the soldier. Reinforcements later subdued and disarmed the assailant.
Authorities have since cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into how the breach occurred. Military sources described the event as “deeply troubling,” stressing the need for heightened vigilance at security posts.
The soldier’s identity is being withheld pending notification of his family, while the suspect has been taken into custody for medical and security evaluation.
