The Nigerian Army has called on alleged victims and eyewitnesses to come forward with credible evidence to support claims of assault and sexual misconduct involving some personnel of the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, who invaded hostels of students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), as investigations into the incident continue.
The Army said anyone with verifiable information, including videos, photographs, medical reports or witness statements, should submit them confidentially to the Board of Inquiry investigating the allegations at the Headquarters, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, or through the Army Public Relations Office, assuring that the identities and safety of complainants would be protected.
The appeal was contained in a follow-up statement issued on Friday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, Major Ibrahim Yahaya.
The statement comes amid growing public outrage over allegations that some soldiers, said to be among personnel who recently completed their passing-out parade, invaded off-campus hostels of students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) in Osogbo on Monday evening.
The soldiers were accused of assaulting students, stealing more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic devices, while some female students were allegedly stripped naked and forced to dance unclothed.
The latest statement said the Nigerian Army remained committed to conducting a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into all allegations of misconduct.
According to the Army, the Board of Inquiry constituted after the incident is still carrying out its assignment and would ensure that anyone found culpable is sanctioned in line with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable laws.
“The Nigerian Army and by extension Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, remains fully committed to a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into all allegations of unprofessional conduct,” the statement read.
“The Board of Inquiry earlier constituted is ongoing and will leave no stone unturned. Any personnel found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other extant laws. The Army remain professional and does not condone indiscipline.”
On allegations of rape circulating on social media, the Army said it had taken note of claims attributed to the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Adebooye, but noted that no formal complaint or evidence had been submitted to support the allegation.
“At this time, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo has not received any formal complaint, medical report, or credible evidence from any alleged victim, witness, or the University Management to substantiate the claim of rape by our personnel,” the statement added.
It warned that in the absence of concrete evidence, the allegation remained unconfirmed and cautioned against spreading information capable of prejudicing the investigation.
The Army therefore appealed directly to alleged victims and witnesses to cooperate with investigators.
“You are kindly requested to come forward and present your evidence directly and confidentially to the Board of Inquiry at the Headquarters, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, or through the Army Public Relations Office. Your identity and safety will be protected in line with military and legal procedures. This is the only credible path to identifying and prosecuting the culprits if they exist.”
The military also urged the media, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the management of Osun State University and the general public to avoid circulating unverified information.
It stated that “sensationalism and disinformation only hinder the search for truth and can cause unnecessary panic among students and host communities.”
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to civil-military relations, the protection of students and the observance of human rights, promising to keep the public informed as investigations progress.
LEADERSHIP reports that while appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, the Vice Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Odunayo Adebooye, had maintained that soldiers found responsible for the alleged attacks should be dismissed from the Nigerian Army.
According to Adebooye, the accused personnel were unfit for military service.
“These officers, these men, what I call the combatants, are not fit to serve in the Nigerian Army. They are misfits,” he said.
