By George Ozalla
A newly commissioned Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Dr. Samson Haruna, has died after his wife allegedly doused him with petrol and set him ablaze following a heated argument at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Dr. Haruna, a medical doctor from Jos, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 2024 after completing his medical training. He married his wife, a nurse identified as Mrs. Samson Haruna, in April 2025.
Reports indicate that the tragic incident occurred on September 22, 2025, after an argument over allegations of infidelity spiraled out of control. The wife reportedly poured petrol on her husband and set him on fire.
The officer was first rushed to the military clinic in the barracks before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Lieutenant Haruna was barely five months into his marriage at the time of his death. His wife has since been arrested by the police and remains in custody pending arraignment.
The incident has thrown the military community and his hometown into mourning as colleagues and friends pay tribute to the young doctor whose promising life was cut short in such a heartbreaking manner.
