A Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, has died from severe burns sustained during a domestic fire incident involving his wife at the Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The incident, which occurred on September 22, 2025, has sparked widespread public debate and calls for an impartial investigation, as conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the circumstances that led to the tragic death.
Lt. Haruna, a Regimental Medical Officer with the 6 Battalion, 2 Brigade, Uyo, was reportedly asleep when the fire broke out in his residence. Initial reports alleged that his wife, Mrs. Retyit Haruna (née Dalong), doused him with petrol and set him ablaze following a domestic dispute.
The officer, who hailed from Benue State and was commissioned into the Army in 2024 after completing his medical training, sustained critical burns. He was initially treated at the Military Reference Section (MRS) in the barracks before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), where he died on October 6, 2025, despite several days of intensive medical care.
In a statement issued by Captain Lawal Bala Muhammad, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident and described it as a domestic fire tragedy that claimed the life of one of its young officers.
“The Nigerian Army commiserates deeply with the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased officer and prays for the repose of his soul. An investigation was instituted from the onset of the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding it, and the outcome will be made public upon conclusion,” the statement read.
Captain Muhammad noted that preliminary findings indicated the incident stemmed from a domestic disagreement but urged the public to refrain from speculation as the military police investigation was still ongoing.
However, in a viral post titled “I Didn’t Kill Him, Please Nigerians, He Did It to Himself,” Mrs. Haruna denied deliberately setting her husband on fire. She claimed the fire was accidental and that she had endured repeated domestic abuse since their marriage in April 2025.
According to her, the argument that night escalated when the late officer allegedly threatened to set their home ablaze.
“He came home with petrol and said I should leave or else he would set me ablaze. I called our Commanding Officer but couldn’t reach him. He accidentally kicked the petrol, and when the lighter fell from his hand, the fire caught,” she alleged.
Mrs. Haruna said she managed to escape the flames while her husband, who reportedly went back inside to retrieve his documents, was consumed by the fire.
Adding another dimension to the case, Pastor Mwoltok Benjamin Dalong, the elder brother of Mrs. Haruna, issued a statement on Tuesday debunking viral claims that his sister set her husband ablaze out of jealousy in Mangu, Plateau State.
The Plateau-based cleric described the circulating story as “heartless, malicious, and completely false,” stating that a Nigerian Army investigation had already cleared his sister of wrongdoing.
“The Army concluded that my sister was not involved in any criminal act. The tragedy was purely accidental, and the victim himself confirmed this before his death,” Pastor Dalong said.
He revealed that the deceased officer made a dying declaration at the hospital, exonerating his wife from any foul play.
“Behind every viral post is a human being — a family, a name, and a reputation. Lies destroy lives,” Pastor Dalong cautioned, quoting Mark Twain: “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.”
The Nigerian Army has assured that it will make the findings of its investigation public once concluded, while reiterating its stance against all forms of domestic violence within and outside military establishments.