A Plateau-born woman, Mrs. Retyit Haruna (née Dalong), has been cleared of wrongdoing by the Nigerian Army following the death of her husband, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, who died from severe burns sustained during a domestic fire incident in Akwa Ibom State.
The tragic incident occurred on September 22, 2025, at the Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area, where the couple lived. Lt. Haruna, a medical doctor serving as Regimental Medical Officer of the 6 Battalion, 2 Brigade, Uyo, reportedly sustained extensive burns during a late-night domestic altercation and died on October 6, 2025, at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
Initial reports had alleged that Mrs. Haruna doused her husband with petrol and set him ablaze following a domestic dispute. However, the Army has since described the incident as a domestic fire accident, confirming that investigations were launched immediately after it occurred.
In a statement signed by Captain Lawal Bala Muhammad, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, the Army said:
“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 to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the outcome will be made public upon conclusion.”
The statement urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigative process to run its course.
Meanwhile, the late officer’s wife, Retyit, has publicly denied the allegations, insisting that the fire outbreak was accidental. In a social media post titled “I Didn’t Kill Him, Please Nigerians, He Did It to Himself,” she claimed that her husband had threatened to set their home ablaze during an argument and that the fire spread accidentally after a petrol container was kicked and a lighter dropped.
Supporting her account, her elder brother, Pastor Mwoltok Benjamin Dalong, a Plateau-based cleric, described the viral reports accusing his sister as “heartless, malicious, and completely false.”
He revealed that a Nigerian Army investigation had cleared Mrs. Haruna of any criminal act and that the late officer himself made a dying declaration confirming her innocence.
“The Army concluded that my sister was not involved in any wrongdoing. The tragedy was purely accidental, and the victim himself confirmed this before his death,” Pastor Dalong said.
He further cautioned against spreading unverified news online, warning that false stories can destroy lives and reputations.
Lt. Haruna, who hailed from Benue State, got married to Retyit in April 2025 in Jos, Plateau State, just five months before the tragic incident.
The Army has assured that it will make its final findings public while urging military families to seek peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms.
The case has since drawn sympathy across Plateau State, with many residents commending the family’s composure and the Army’s transparent handling of the investigation.
