At a trying time in Nigeria when the interest of young people, especially young men, in marriage seems to be waning, owing largely to economic reasons, awful stories emanating from the homes of some married couples have the potential to exacerbate the growing apathy. The seeming inability to vouch for the durability and safety of such contracts and, more significantly, the contractors, is a major source of demotivation.
For instance, around the third week of September, a horrific incident capable of dampening the enthusiasm of young men and women in matrimony happened in a home that was just being built: a Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, was reportedly doused with petrol and allegedly set ablaze by his wife, Retyit Dalong, following a domestic dispute at the Wellington Bassey Barracks in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The young officer reportedly succumbed to his injuries arising from burns, even though he was promptly given medical attention, underscoring the severity of the inferno allegedly orchestrated by his wife. It is terrible.
In the aftermath of the incident, an audio recording surfaced on social media wherein Mrs Haruna purportedly claimed that the fire incident was an accident. According to the recording, the fire started when her husband accidentally kicked a fuel gallon during their dispute, accidentally setting himself on fire. The recording also claimed that the deceased had subjected her to domestic violence.
However, reacting to the incident, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Captain Lawal Muhammad, said: ‘The Nigerian Army condemns this act of domestic violence, recognising the imperative of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect within families.’
Ironically, Samson and his wife, Retyit, belong to the medical profession, which is reputed for valuing life and prioritising its safety and protection. While Samson was a medical doctor serving as the regimental medical officer at the 6 Battalion in Ibagwa, his wife is a nurse. The couple, who got married just five months prior to the tragic incident, were said to have been having recurrent arguments verging on alleged infidelity until the escalated one that culminated in fatality. A five-month-old union in which a domestic dispute resulted in the death of one partner is, no doubt, a bad advertisement for matrimony. Yet, as usual, this couple must have been beneficiaries of the free and common admonitions at weddings on the imperative of healthy relations, avoidance of domestic violence, and a culture of respect and dialogue within families and communities.
But apparently, the import of such admonitions was lost on them.
For Samson, a marriage contracted six months ago which many thought was the beginning of a blissful union has ended in tragedy, causing his relations, family, colleagues, friends and well-wishers to bear the brunt of an irreparable damage. And as for his wife, she has to prove that the tragic incident was not due to irascibility, impulsiveness and uncontrollable anger on her part. If she is ultimately found guilty of culpable homicide, it will put an indelible mark on her both as a person and a professional. This is really unfortunate and worrisome, especially against the backdrop of the fact that her alleged action was patently avoidable.
The incident is regrettable and confounding. It is a sad story, especially for a young couple who were still supposed to be enjoying their honeymoon. As noted earlier, both are in the medical profession, which prioritises the preservation of life. Now, unless evidence emerges indicating that the incident was accidental, the story is that a nurse allegedly killed a doctor in a most brutal fashion.
It is important to find out what actually went wrong so that other young couples can learn useful lessons from the tragic occurrence. Truth be told, there is hardly any marriage that is insulated from challenges but it is also true that there is no marital issue that constant communication and understanding cannot rein in. And that is in addition to a commitment to peace and harmonious relationship which ordinarily should be a given from the average couple. Yet, the young couple under reference were so reckless that they allowed unsubstantiated allegations to result in tragedy.
According to the Army authorities, Lt. Haruna’s demise resulted from domestic violence. Certainly, not even animals should be killed in the vicious manner in which he died. Assuming but not conceding that he was guilty of the alleged infidelity, a painful death through burning is surely not the penalty for adultery under the criminal code that applies in Southern Nigeria where the offence was allegedly committed. And what if the allegations are even false? But as it is, the victim has been denied an opportunity to tell his own side of the story.
Why did Mrs Haruna not pack out when the situation at the home front became intolerable? Or why didn’t she press charges through the appropriate channel for redress, if she believed she had been wronged by her husband? And did Lt. Haruna really set himself on fire during a domestic dispute, as she is presumed to have said? It is good to know that the suspect is already in lawful custody. We urge the police to launch a painstaking inquiry into the incident and ensure that justice is done in this case. The law must take its full course without fail.