By Abdul Lauya
The Nigerian Army has officially confirmed the death of Lieutenant Samson Haruna, a Regimental Medical Officer with 6 Battalion, following injuries sustained in a domestic fire incident allegedly caused by his wife, Mrs. Retyit Obadiah Dalong Samson Haruna.
In a statement issued by Captain Lawal Muhammad, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, the Army described the incident as “tragic” and reaffirmed its “zero tolerance for domestic violence in any form.”
According to the Army’s preliminary findings, the incident occurred on 22 September 2025 at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Akwa Ibom State, after a domestic dispute between the couple reportedly escalated.
“The altercation allegedly stemmed from a family crisis,” the Army spokesperson noted, “which led to a heated argument, during which the wife set ablaze household properties, resulting in severe burns to the officer.”
Lieutenant Haruna was first stabilized at the Battalion Medical Facility and subsequently evacuated to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he later died from his injuries in the early hours of Tuesday, 7 October 2025.
Eye Reporters, one of the earliest outlets to report the incident alongside several others, ran the story under the headline “Army Doctor Burnt Alive By Wife After Domestic Dispute”, noting that residents in the barracks were shocked by the violent escalation of what was initially described as a verbal dispute between the couple.
Although the Army has not confirmed all the details circulating in public and online spaces, it acknowledged that its military police unit has launched a full investigation “to determine the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident.”
Captain Muhammad further emphasized the Army’s position on discipline and respect within families, stating: “The Nigerian Army strongly condemns this act of domestic violence, recognizing the imperative of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect within families.”
He added that the Army leadership was deeply saddened by the development and has extended its “heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased officer.”
Eye Reporters has learned from sources close to the investigation that security authorities within the barracks acted swiftly to contain the situation, and Mrs. Haruna was reportedly taken into custody pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The Army, in its statement, urged both military personnel and civilians to “embrace emotional maturity, effective conflict management, and respect for family values,” as a means of preventing such domestic tragedies.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Haruna denied deliberately setting her husband on fire, claiming instead that it was an accident during a domestic quarrel involving the use of fuel for a generator. She further alleged that she had been a victim of long-term domestic abuse and insisted she did not intend to harm him fatally.
Her account, widely circulated on social media following the incident, has not been independently verified by Eye Reporters, and the Nigerian Army has yet to respond to her claims, maintaining that the military police investigation would establish the facts and determine accountability.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
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