From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Nigerian Army has ordered a full-scale investigation into the death of one of its officers, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, who died from severe burns, after his wife allegedly set him ablaze during a domestic dispute at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Akwa Ibom State.
Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Lawal Muhammad, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday night, confirming that the 2 Brigade Headquarters, Uyo, has commenced a formal probe to uncover the circumstances surrounding the officer’s tragic death.
According to the statement, the late Haruna, who served as the Regimental Medical Officer of 6 Battalion, sustained fatal burns following a violent altercation with his wife, Retyit Samson Haruna, a nurse, on September 22, 2025.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident followed a heated argument between the couple, which escalated when the wife allegedly set fire to properties in their apartment, resulting in the officer being caught in the inferno”, the Army said.
Haruna was initially stabilised at the Battalion Medical Facility before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he died early Tuesday.
“The Nigerian Army strongly condemns this act of domestic violence and has directed military police to carry out a thorough investigation to determine the remote and immediate causes of the incident”, the statement read.
The Army also extended condolences to the bereaved family and appealed for calm, assuring that justice will be served upon completion of the investigation.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to promoting peaceful coexistence within families and will not tolerate any act of violence that threatens lives within the barracks community”, the statement added.
Security sources said the suspect has been arrested and is currently in military custody as investigators piece together evidence and eyewitness accounts.
Reports suggest that the couple, who got married barely five months ago, had a history of domestic disagreements before the fatal encounter.
Counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who first reported the case on his X handle, confirmed that the officer was a medical doctor attached to the 6 Battalion and that his wife allegedly doused him with petrol before igniting the fire.
Military authorities have assured that findings from the ongoing probe will guide further disciplinary and legal actions in accordance with military and civil laws.
