A young Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Samson Haruna, who is also a medical doctor, has died after his wife allegedly burned him death in their residential apartment, barely five months after their wedding ceremony in April 2025.
Haruna, who was serving with the 6 Battalion at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Akwa Ibom, was allegedly set ablaze by his wife during an argument on Sept. 22, 2025 over a minor domestic dispute.
Sources said that the jealous wife got angry after going through her husband’s phone and seeing a message which she presumed was from a rival woman.
It was gathered that the enraged woman thereafter poured petrol on him while he was asleep and ignited it with matches, leaving him with severe first degree burns.
The deceased officer was rushed from the Military Reference Section in the barracks to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, but he sadly succumbed to the injuries he sustained from the burning fire.
The police have confirmed the arrest of the suspect, while further investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the incident, saying the officer died after a domestic dispute with his wife in Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement by Captain Lawal Muhammad, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, it said that preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred after a heated argument between the couple, allegedly stemming from a family crisis.
The army said that the altercation escalated when Mrs Haruna set ablaze household properties, and the officer was caught in the inferno.
It said that Lieutenant Haruna was initially stabilized at the Battalion Medical Facility before being evacuated to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Tuesday.
The statement reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s zero tolerance for domestic violence, emphasizing the importance of peace, respect, and dialogue within families.
“The Nigerian Army strongly condemns this act of domestic violence, recognizing the imperative of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect within families,” it read.
The Army also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and colleagues of the late officer, assuring that a military police investigation was ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The statement concluded with a renewed call for emotional maturity, conflict management, and the strengthening of family values within military and civilian communities alike.
The estranged ex-husband and wife are said to be both from Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
