The Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, has ordered investigation into alleged invasion and assault on students of Osun State University by its recruits.
The students of UNIOSUN in Osogbo had alleged invasion of their hostels by newly recruited personnel of the Nigerian Army, Monday night, alleging that the recruits assaulted male students and sexually harassed female students.
The incident led to protest by students, Tuesday, demanding justice for their fellow colleagues.
According to findings, the recruits—who were said to be from the Depot, Nigerian Army, Osogbo—had earlier visited areas around the students’ community under the guise of relaxing at entertainment centres.
The students said some recruits harassed young men and demanded money transfers into bank accounts.
They said the situation allegedly escalated when the recruits reportedly stormed about 20 student hostels, including Cristalag and Kings and Queens hostels, where they allegedly unleashed violence on occupants.
Female students claimed they were forced to strip and were sexually assaulted.
Male students said they were allegedly beaten, and that their mobile phones and valuables were stolen.
In a statement by the Army Public Relations Officer, Major Yahaya Ibrahim, the Depot reiterated that the Nigerian Army exists to protect all citizens, especially the youth, who are the future of the nation, saying any conduct that falls short of that mandate is unacceptable.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Clement Adebooye, condemned the incident, describing it as “gory” and referring to the perpetrators as “animals” who “should not be living among humans.”
He said, “The student area at Shaha, Oke-Baale in Osogbo had been attacked and ravaged by some military recruit and they attacked about 15 and 20 hostels.
“I have gone through the hostels as early as early as 8am and I have surveyed them. I cried so much when I saw what these military boys did to the female students and especially to the female students. It’s really inhuman for anybody in uniform to undress ladies under force and touch them inappropriately.”