A female student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has alleged that a soldier physically restrained her and attempted to sexually assault her when personnel of the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, reportedly stormed student hostels on Monday night. The student, identified only as Ademola, shared her account in a video that began circulating online following the incident.
Student recounts ordeal
Ademola said she was alone in her room cooking when she first noticed soldiers on the hostel premises. She said the situation appeared to calm down before the soldiers reportedly returned and knocked on doors. 'They pointed their torch at my room and asked who was inside. They told me to open the door, and I did,' she said.
After she opened the door, she told one of the soldiers her roommate was not present. She alleged the soldier then turned aggressive. 'He pinned me to my bathroom door and told me I would like it. He also warned me not to shout. I kept begging him,' she alleged.
Second soldier also made lewd comments
Ademola said she forced herself free and moved towards the room's entrance, repeatedly asking the soldier to leave. A second soldier then entered and, rather than intervening, told her to stop screaming and that she would also enjoy it. 'They kept telling me to calm down and that I would like it. I started shouting and screaming, and that was when they both left the room,' she said. She said she locked the door immediately after the soldiers departed, and a neighbour came to check on her after hearing her cries.
Soldiers accused of stealing phones and stripping students
Ademola's account is one of several allegations to surface following the Monday evening operation. Students claimed that more than 60 mobile phones and other valuables were taken from rooms during the raid. Some female students alleged they were stripped naked and compelled to dance unclothed in front of soldiers, who were said to be among those who participated in the Army Depot's passing-out parade the previous Saturday.
Army opens investigation
The Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, acknowledged the allegations on Tuesday, announcing the commencement of a formal investigation. The inquiry was triggered by a petition filed by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D. In a statement, the Army said the investigation would establish the facts surrounding the incident and pledged that any personnel found to have acted wrongly would face appropriate disciplinary measures under military law.
Previous tragedy at UNIOSUN
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a final year student of Osun State University, UNIOSUN, has died, prompting outrage from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which claims the tragedy may have been linked to poor medical support at the institution's Ifetedo campus. The deceased was identified as Osunlakin Grace, a 400-level Law student. NANS stated that she did not receive the urgent treatment needed to save her life and described the loss as deeply painful for the university community.
