By Adesina Soyooye
The Nigerian Army has, in a statement, confirmed the horrific death of its young officer, a Medical Doctor, Lt. Samson Haruna who reports say was, allegedly, set ablaze by his wife of a six months, Retyit Obadiah Haruna, a Nurse,
in a case of domestic violence.
This confirmation comes on the heels of a statement issued by an elder brother of Mrs Haruna, Pastor Mwoltok Benjamin Dalong, in which he declared his sister innocent and put the blame on the late Lt Haruna.
According to him, quoting one report by an unnamed “citizen journalist”, and without explaining what caused the domestic violence, Lt. Haruna, “was playing with petrol and a light burner while threatening his wife. The light burner he was using with petrol to make threats, mistakingly, caught fire and engulfed him.”
In a statement signed by Assistant Director of Army Public Relations of the 2 Brigade, Lawal Muhammad, the Army said the incident happened on September 22, 2025, following a domestic dispute between the couple.
He described the incident as tragic.
The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Army strongly condemns this act of domestic violence, recognizing the imperative of peaceful coexistence and respect within families. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Lieutenant Haruna.”
The statement called on all parties to remain calm pending the outcome of investigation by the Military Police.
But defending his sister, and calling for restraint in pushing forward unverified accounts, Dalong claimed that the Army found her sister innocent and released her based on her husband’s statement while on his death bed.
Following is the full text of his statement where he also blamed Lt. Haruna for his harrowing death.
PUBLIC CLARIFICATION ON THE FALSE RUMOUR MAKING ROUNDS ABOUT MY KID SISTER, MRS RETYIT DALONG
“It has become necessary to address the ongoing false rumor circulating on social media about a certain young lady from Mangu, Plateau State — a story alleging that she set her husband ablaze in a jealous rage.
“For the sake of truth, clarity, and justice, I wish to make it known publicly and unequivocally that the lady in question, who happens to be my kid sister, has been cleared by the Nigerian Army of any wrongdoing and freed.
“As one citizen journalist rightly reported:
‘What I was able to uncover through interview with her immediate family here in Jos, is that the bride is home and cleared of any wrong doings by the army… The Army ruled the incident an accident according to the family due to the negligence of the husband playing with petrol and a light burner while threatening his wife. The light burner he was using with petrol to make threats mistakenly caught fire and engulfed him… He was stabilized in the hospital and made statements in the hospital bed that were key to exonerating (clearing his wife) as the person who poured fuel on him.’
Read Also: Young Army Medical Doctor, Lt. Haruna, Set Ablaze By Wife, Dies
“This statement is verifiable and consistent with the Army’s own findings.
:The truth is clear: she is innocent and has been the victim of false narratives spread without confirmation or compassion.
“We live in a time when, as Mark Twain once said, ‘a lie can travel halfway across the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.’
“Sadly, social media has become a fertile ground for misinformation and character assassination.
“To everyone who has shared or believed the false story, I appeal for fairness and restraint. Before judging or reposting, please verify.
“Behind every viral post is a real human being with a family, emotions, and a reputation.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out privately in concern and sought the truth rather than joining the mob.
“Let’s all remember: truth may take time, but it always prevails.”
However, while the result of the Army’s investigation is still being awaited, some questions arise from Mrs Haruna’s brother’s statement.
Not a few people are itching for answers to:
*Why would an Army Officer, who was also a Medical Doctor, and knew the danger of petrol and fire play with both and threaten his wife of six months with them?
*Since the couple was having an argument, it means the two were in same room. How come the fire engulfed only Lt. Haruna while Mrs Haruna escaped it with no injuries, no burns?
*Has the Army released the result of its investigation? If so what does it say? Can it be made public?
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