A soldier was found dead after chasing an unknown assailant into the bush in Twatagi village, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 5:30pm, on October 21, 2025.

The deceased, identified as Private Usman Alhaji, who was attached to Apapa, Lagos, rode on a motorcycle with one Muhammad Baba, a native of Twatagi.

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Sources said the duo were on their way to Patigi town when they encountered a man walking along the roadside with a stick.

As they rode past, the man reportedly suddenly attacked them, hitting them with a stick before taking to his heels into the nearby forest.

The deceased who was said to have immediately pursued the attacker on foot later failed to return.

Subsequent search by companion (Baba) failed to yield any result.

However, villagers discovered his lifeless body inside the forest around noon on Wednesday, with a stab wound to his neck, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama.

A vigilante commander, Captain Gina Gana, told Daily Trust on Thursday that the body was recovered on Wednesday.

According to him, the soldier was alone at the time of the attack, adding that it was an avoidable situation.

It was not immediately known whether the officer, who was said to be on pass, had informed any of the army formation or his superiors of his presence in the state.

“The soldier was on pass and heading to his community on the outskirts of Patigi. He should have been more tactical and called for help instead of going after the attacker alone,” the source said.