Army officer dies after being set ablaze by wife in Akwa Ibom

Tragedy in Akwa Ibom - Army Officer Dies After Domestic Dispute Turns Deadly

In a deeply disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian military community and the public at large, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, a Nigerian Army officer and medical doctor, has died following a violent domestic altercation with his wife at Wellington Bassey Barracks, located in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The tragic event occurred on September 22, 2025, during what sources described as a heated argument between Lt. Haruna and his wife, Mrs. Samson Haruna. According to reports shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the confrontation escalated when Mrs. Haruna allegedly doused her husband with petrol and set him ablaze inside their residence within the barracks.

Neighbors reportedly rushed to the scene upon hearing the officer’s screams and attempted to extinguish the flames before he was stabilized at the Military Reference Section (MRS) in the barracks.

Despite being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for intensive care, Lt. Haruna succumbed to the severe burns he sustained. His death has plunged the Wellington Bassey Barracks into mourning, with colleagues expressing grief over the loss of a man described as calm, disciplined, and dedicated to his duties as the Regimental Medical Officer of the 6 Battalion.

Mrs. Haruna has since been arrested and is currently in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.

The case has sparked widespread outrage and sorrow across Nigeria, with many calling for increased awareness and intervention in domestic violence situations.

The story has gone viral on social media, prompting discussions about the emotional toll of marital conflict and the need for mental health support within military families.

Lt. Samson Haruna’s death is not only a personal tragedy but also a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked domestic strife.

As the Nigerian Army and law enforcement agencies delve deeper into the investigation, the nation mourns the loss of a promising officer whose life was cut short in a moment of unimaginable violence.