- VC urges calm, vows to ensure justice
- Army orders probe, Police investigate
By John Dike, Osogbo
Tension gripped Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Tuesday as hundreds of students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), led by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, staged a peaceful protest over alleged invasion of student hostels by newly recruited personnel of the Nigerian Army.
The protest, which attracted students from different faculties and departments, brought vehicular movement to a standstill along major roads leading to the university community as the demonstrators demanded justice for victims of what they described as a horrifying attack on innocent students.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Justice for UNIOSUN Students,” “Stop Violence Against Students,” “Our Hostels Should Be Safe,” and “No One Is Above the Law,” the protesters marched through parts of Osogbo while calling on the Federal Government, military authorities and security agencies to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.
The demonstration followed allegations that newly recruited Army personnel, believed to be undergoing training at the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, invaded several privately owned student hostels in the Oke-Baale area on Monday night, where they allegedly assaulted students, destroyed property, robbed occupants and sexually assaulted some female students.
The incident has generated widespread outrage across Osun State and beyond, with parents, civil society organisations, student leaders, women’s rights groups and residents demanding a transparent investigation and justice for the victims.
According to several eyewitnesses, the atmosphere around the university community was calm until late Monday evening when some of the recruits were allegedly seen at relaxation centres around Oke-Baale.
Residents alleged that what initially appeared to be routine movement later degenerated into harassment of young people around the area.
Some students alleged that they were compelled to transfer unspecified sums of money into bank accounts allegedly provided by some of the recruits after being threatened.
The situation reportedly escalated shortly afterwards when the recruits allegedly stormed nearly 20 privately owned student hostels, including Cristalag Hostel and Kings and Queens Hostel.
Students claimed that doors were violently kicked open, windows shattered and rooms searched indiscriminately.
Several occupants alleged that they were beaten with pipes, sticks and other objects without provocation, while mobile phones, cash and other valuables were allegedly taken away.
Some male students also claimed they were forced to make electronic transfers after being assaulted.
Several female students further alleged that they were subjected to different forms of harassment, with some accusing the recruits of attempted rape and sexual assault.
The allegations have left many students traumatised, with some reportedly receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.
Victims Recount Ordeal
Speaking with our correspondent, one of the affected students, Adeyemo Anuoluwapo, described the incident as the most terrifying experience of his life.
“They started banging violently on the doors and kicking them open. They were shouting at the girls to strip naked. When they struck the door, it slammed into my head.
“I pleaded with them to stop, but they continued beating me with a pipe. I suffered a seizure and could hardly breathe.
“They later poured water on my body. Doctors advised me to undergo a brain scan because of the injuries, but I don’t have the money to pay for it,” he alleged.
Another student, Ademola Jesunbo, claimed she narrowly escaped being sexually assaulted.
“I was cooking when they flashed a torch into my room and ordered me to open the door.
“They asked how many people were inside. I told them I was alone because my roommate wasn’t around.
“One of them pinned me against my toilet door and warned me not to shout. He told me I would enjoy it. Another recruit entered and they tried to force themselves on me.
“I screamed as loudly as I could and they immediately ran out.”
She alleged that the men later returned after forcing one of her male hostel mates to persuade her to open the door.
“They searched my room and left. They later came back again demanding my phone.
“When I refused, one of them collected a pipe from his colleague, threatened me, seized my phone, removed my SIM card, scattered everything in my room and left with the phone,” she claimed.
Another student, Salau Tomiwa, a Microbiology undergraduate, alleged that the recruits first harassed female students before attacking male occupants.
“They demanded the phone number of a female student. When she refused, one of them picked up a pipe and threatened her.
“They later ordered everyone to come outside.
“I refused because I had done nothing wrong.
“They came back later in greater numbers and started beating me repeatedly with pipes,” he alleged.
Several other students who spoke with our correspondent narrated similar experiences, alleging that they were physically assaulted and robbed during the incident.
Vice-Chancellor Visits Scene
Reacting swiftly, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, visited the affected hostels on Tuesday morning to assess the situation firsthand.
He inspected damaged hostel facilities, including broken doors, shattered windows and vandalised rooms.
The Vice-Chancellor also met with affected students, listened to their accounts and expressed sympathy for the victims.
He assured them that the university would pursue every legitimate avenue to ensure justice while engaging relevant authorities to recover any property reportedly taken during the incident.
Prof Adebooye urged students to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that the institution would stand firmly with them until the matter was fully resolved.
University Condemns Incident
In a statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the management strongly condemned the alleged harassment and assault.
The University described the incident as unacceptable and a violation of the dignity and fundamental rights of its students.
It stressed that no member of the university community should be subjected to intimidation, harassment or assault under any circumstance.
According to the statement, a delegation from the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, later visited the Vice-Chancellor and informed the university that the recruits allegedly involved had been identified.
The delegation reportedly assured the university that any recruit found culpable would face disciplinary measures, including possible dismissal from the ongoing recruitment exercise, in accordance with military regulations.
The University commended the Army leadership for responding promptly and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining cordial relations with security agencies while insisting that such relationships must always respect the rights and safety of students.
NANS Demands Justice
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, also condemned the incident.
Its Coordinator, Josiah Adeyemo, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to ensure a thorough investigation.
He insisted that anyone found responsible should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
NAWOJ Calls for Dismissal, Prosecution
The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) equally condemned the alleged sexual assault of female students.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairperson, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola, and Secretary, Oluwaranti Ojewumi, the association described the allegations as barbaric, a gross abuse of power and a betrayal of the constitutional responsibility of the Armed Forces to protect lives and property.
NAWOJ urged the Chief of Army Staff to dismiss any recruit found culpable and hand them over to civil authorities for prosecution under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and other relevant statutes.
The association further called on the University, security agencies and relevant ministries to provide medical care, psychosocial support and legal assistance to survivors while protecting them from intimidation.
It also commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University management for their swift intervention and support for the affected students.
Police Confirm Investigation
The Osun State Police Command confirmed that the incident had been reported.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, told our correspondent that investigations had commenced.
He assured that the Command would thoroughly investigate the allegations and make its findings known upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Army Orders Investigation
Meanwhile, the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, has ordered a formal investigation into the allegations.
In a statement signed by the Army Public Relations Officer, Major Yahay Ibrahim, the Commandant said the Depot viewed the allegations with serious concern.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Army exists to protect all Nigerians, particularly young people, and that any conduct inconsistent with that responsibility is unacceptable.
The statement stressed that no student or law-abiding citizen should be subjected to harassment, intimidation or assault by military personnel.
According to the statement, the Commandant has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident and ensure accountability.
The Army also appealed to the NANS Southwest Coordinator, Comrade Josiah Adeyemo, to make available evidence and witness statements to facilitate a thorough investigation.
“The Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, remains committed to ensuring that its personnel uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism.
“The alleged actions do not reflect the values, training and character development expected of recruits undergoing military training.
“We assure the public that any personnel found guilty will face the full weight of military law,” the statement added.
The Commandant also expressed readiness to meet with the leadership of NANS to discuss the matter and chart a way forward.
As of the time of filing this report, investigations by both the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force were ongoing.The allegations contained in this report remain under investigation.
