UNIOSUN VC leads protest, as newly recruited Army personnel molests Students
By Ismail Azeez
The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, has joined students in condemning the invasion of the Osogbo campus and the alleged molestation of students by newly recruited Nigerian Army personnel.
The students blocked the busy Ibokun Road for several minutes to protest the invasion before officers from the Osun State Police Command intervened.
The protesters carried placards bearing different inscriptions, such as “Students’ Community Is Not a War Zone,” “Nigerian Army Personnel Should Stop Harassing Us,” “Our Girls Are Not Safe,” and “We Say No to Army Brutality.”
Addressing the crowd, the Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, Josiah Adeyemo, condemned the act. He urged the relevant authorities to ensure that those involved in the invasion are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.
The management of Osun State University also expressed strong displeasure over the alleged harassment of its students by the army recruits in the Oke Baale area of Osogbo.
In a statement released by the University Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the institution strongly condemned every form of harassment, intimidation, assault, or violation of the dignity and fundamental rights of its students.
The statement emphasized that no member of the university community should be subjected to any form of abuse under any circumstance.
Following the disturbing reports, Vice-Chancellor Professor Adebooye paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the affected privately-owned hostels at Oke Baale to ascertain the situation firsthand and interact with the victims.
He expressed the university’s sympathy to those affected and reassured them that management would pursue every legitimate avenue to ensure justice is served.
During the visit, the Vice-Chancellor inspected the reported damage to some hostel facilities, including broken windows and doors, and met with students who narrated their experiences.
Addressing the students, Professor Adebooye assured them that the university stands firmly with them and will continue to engage all relevant authorities to ensure that any personal belongings reportedly stolen are recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
He also promised that the university would not relent until the matter is satisfactorily resolved.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the affected students to remain calm, law-abiding, and confident that the university would vigorously protect their interests and welfare.
Subsequently, a delegation from the Nigerian Army Depot in Osogbo visited the Vice-Chancellor to formally brief the university on the steps already taken in response to the incident.
The delegation informed the Vice-Chancellor that the personnel alleged to have been involved had been identified. They assured him that appropriate disciplinary actions, including immediate dismissal from the ongoing recruitment exercise, would be taken in accordance with military disciplinary procedures.
The management of Osun State University commended the prompt response and cooperation of the leadership of the Nigerian Army Depot in addressing the unfortunate incident and giving assurances that those found culpable would be held accountable.
The university noted that it remains committed to maintaining a cordial relationship with all security agencies while insisting that such relationships must always be founded on mutual respect for the rights, dignity, and safety of members of the university community.
The institution further reassured parents, guardians, students, and all stakeholders that the safety and well-being of the students remain its highest priority.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) also condemned in the strongest terms the alleged rape of female UNIOSUN students by the army recruits.
In a statement signed by the Chairperson, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola, and the Secretary, Oluwaranti Ojewumi, the association described the act as barbaric, a gross abuse of power, and a betrayal of the constitutional duty of the Armed Forces to protect lives and property.
The statement noted that sexual violence, especially when perpetrated by individuals entrusted with protecting citizens, is a grievous abuse of power and a direct violation of the rights, dignity, and safety of women and girls.
The leadership added that it is disheartening that men in uniform, who ought to protect women and children, are the ones perpetrating such dastardly acts. They warned that recruits entering the security system with such a mindset pose a severe danger to the state and the country at large.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Army ordered a full investigation into the alleged misconduct. In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, Major Yahaya Ibrahim, the military stated that the alleged actions do not reflect the training and character development of recruits at the depot, describing the conduct as completely unacceptable.
According to the statement, the depot reiterated that the Nigerian Army exists to protect all citizens, especially the youth, who represent the future of the nation.
The military maintained that any conduct falling short of that mandate is unacceptable, and no student or law-abiding citizen should ever feel unsafe or be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or assault by security personnel.
In line with military regulations and core values, the Commandant ordered an immediate investigation to ascertain the facts of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The NANS Southwest Coordinator, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, was requested to make available all evidence and witness statements to enable a thorough investigation.
The Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, concluded by assuring the public that its personnel are held to the highest standards at all times. It gave a firm assurance that any personnel found guilty would face the full weight of military law, adding that the Commandant is ready to meet with the NANS leadership at the earliest convenience to agree on the way forward.