The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of one of its officers, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, who died after being allegedly set ablaze by his wife, Mrs. Retyit Obadiah Haruna, during a domestic quarrel at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The incident, which occurred on September 22, 2025, was said to have followed a heated disagreement between the couple, who had been married for only six months.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Captain Lawal Muhammad, described the death as tragic, noting that the Nigerian Army “strongly condemns all forms of domestic violence.”
Reports indicated that the late officer, who served as the Regimental Medical Officer of the 6 Battalion, sustained severe burns after his wife allegedly set household items on fire during the altercation.
He was rushed to the Battalion Medical Facility for initial treatment and later transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on October 8.
Captain Muhammad expressed the Army’s condolences to the family of the deceased and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence among personnel and their families.
“The Nigerian Army strongly condemns this act of domestic violence, recognising the imperative of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect within families,” the statement read in part.
He urged calm while military police continue investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.