Uniosun Students Protest Invasion Of Their Hostels By Newly Recruited Army Personnel
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OSOGBO – Students of Osun State University have staged protest over invasion of their hostel by newly recruited Nigerian army personnel.
The students armed with placards during the protest, which was attended by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D Coordinator, Josiah Adeyemo and Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Clement Adebooye.
However, it was gathered that some of the perpetrators of the invasion had been arrested.
Narrating his experience, one of the students, Adeyemo Anuoluwapo, said the men banged on their doors and forced it open, ordering female students to strip naked.
“They started banging on doors and kicking them. They were telling girls to strip naked. When they hit the door, it banged against my head. I pleaded with them, but they started beating me with a pipe. I had a seizure and couldn’t breathe properly. They poured water on my body. I was later told at the hospital to undergo a scan”.
Another student, Ademola Jesunbo, said the men repeatedly entered her room, attempted to sexually assault her and later took away her mobile phone after searching the room.
She said, “I was in my hostel cooking when they pointed a torchlight into my room and asked me to open the door. I told them I was alone. One of them pinned me against my toilet door and told me not to shout. I managed to free myself and moved towards the door. He said I would enjoy it and should not shout. Another person came in, and they tried to force themselves on me. I shouted, and they left.
“They later returned, saying they wanted to search my room. They came back again and demanded that I open the door. They eventually entered, demanded my phone, removed my SIM card, searched everywhere and left with my phone”.
Meanwhile, the management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, has condemned the alleged harassment and assault of its students by newly recruited Nigerian Army personnel, assuring that it would pursue every legitimate avenue to ensure justice is served.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Adebooye, gave the assurance after carrying out an on-the-spot assessment of privately owned student hostels in the Oke Baale area of Osogbo, where the incident occurred.
A statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, said the vice-chancellor inspected damaged hostel facilities, including broken doors and windows, and listened to accounts from affected students.
Reacting, the Nigerian Army said it had commenced an investigation into the allegations and appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, to provide evidence and witness statements to aid the probe.
In a statement signed by the Army Public Relations Officer, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, Major Yahaya Ibrahim, the Army said it remained committed to protecting all citizens and would not tolerate any act of harassment, intimidation or assault by its personnel.
“Any conduct that falls short of that mandate is unacceptable. No student or law-abiding citizen should ever feel unsafe or be subjected to harassment, intimidation or assault by those entrusted with the security of lives and property. The alleged actions of the personnel do not reflect the training and character development of recruits at the depot.
“In line with military regulations and the values of the Nigerian Army, the commandant has ordered an investigation to ascertain the facts of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. We therefore give our firm assurance that any personnel found guilty will face the full weight of military law,” he stated.
