Over 20 students allegedly attacked by Osogbo Army Depot recruits; 60 gadgets seized; rape allegation unconfirmed as university lodges complaint
Osun State University has formally lodged a complaint following an alleged assault on its students by newly recruited Nigerian Army personnel from the Osogbo Army Depot. The incident, which occurred on Monday night, involved the invasion of approximately 20 student hostels, including Cristalag and Kings and Queens hostels.
The university authorities confirmed the attack on Tuesday. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Clement Adeboye visited affected hostels to assess the situation and meet with traumatised students.
“We have reported to the management of the depot. It is sad that the Army Depot, located close to the campus, which we felt would give us security cover, could eventually release men that will subject our students to this kind of harrowing experience,” Adeboye said.
University Spokesperson Ademola Adesoji provided detailed accounts of the assault.
“The soldiers came from Osogbo Army Depot. They assaulted the students. Some female students said they were stripped by the soldiers. They also said they touched them indecently. Some male students were also assaulted,” Adesoji stated.
The alleged perpetrators are part of the batch of recruits who completed their passing-out parade at the Osogbo Army Depot on Saturday, just two days before the hostel invasion.
Scale of the assault: Over 20 student victims
The university identified over 20 students as victims of the assault. Male students reported being beaten and robbed by the soldiers. Female students reported being forcibly stripped, indecently touched and made to dance unclothed by the rampaging recruits.
Two students were hospitalised following the assault. One was discharged on Tuesday morning. Both received treatment for injuries sustained during the attack.
The soldiers seized over 60 mobile phones and other electronic gadgets belonging to students during the hostel invasions. This robbery component of the attack caused additional trauma and material loss to already traumatised students.
Unconfirmed rape allegations and initial misconduct
University officials stated that some female students alleged they were raped during the assault. However, Adesoji noted that the rape allegation cannot be confirmed at this time.
“The VC has taken the matter up with the Army authority. We can’t confirm the alleged rape yet,” he said.
Prior to invading the hostels, the recruits engaged in extortion and harassment in areas around the student community. According to witness accounts, the soldiers visited entertainment centres under the guise of relaxation but instead harassed young men in the area and demanded money transfers into designated bank accounts. This initial criminal activity preceded the escalation to hostel invasions and violence.
Additionally, male students reported being targeted for assault if they were found wearing clothing or caps in Army colours, suggesting that the recruits’ actions were not random violence but deliberate targeting based on appearance.
Military response and accountability
The university reports that five perpetrators were identified and brought to the campus on Tuesday morning. However, the soldiers were subsequently returned to the military base.
The Army Depot management indicated that the responsible soldiers would be dismissed from service, acknowledging the gravity of the incident. However, formal disciplinary action has not yet been completed, and the soldiers remain in military custody pending investigation.
Vice-Chancellor Adeboye has escalated the matter to the highest levels of Army authority. The university is pursuing accountability while ensuring support for affected students.
Institutional security concern
The incident exposes a paradox in the university’s security strategy. The proximity of the Army Depot to campus was intended to provide enhanced security coverage for the institution. Instead, personnel from the same depot perpetrated attacks on students.
This development raises questions about institutional oversight at the Osogbo Army Depot and the adequacy of command structures to prevent such misconduct by newly recruited personnel.
The incident occurs within days of the depot’s passing-out parade where Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Waidi Shaibu urged the 4,739 newly trained recruits to “demonstrate restraint, maturity and responsibility” and to “operate strictly within human rights principles and rules of engagement.”
The assault on UNIOSUN students represents a severe breach of those explicitly stated principles.
Source: TheCable
