A female student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), identified simply as Ademola, has alleged that she was nearly sexually assaulted when soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo, reportedly stormed students’ hostels earlier this week.
The student made the allegation in an emotional video shared by OsunDefenderNG, where she narrated how two soldiers allegedly entered her hostel room while she was alone preparing a meal.
The incident follows Monday evening’s reported invasion of student hostels by soldiers believed to have participated in the Army Depot’s passing-out parade held in Osogbo last Saturday.
During the raid, the soldiers allegedly assaulted several students and carted away more than 60 mobile phones alongside other electronic gadgets.
Reports also claimed that some female students were stripped naked and forced to dance unclothed.
Recounting her experience, Ademola said she initially noticed soldiers moving around the hostel area but assumed the situation had subsided before they returned.
According to her, the officers later approached her room, shone flashlights through the windows and demanded to know who was inside before ordering her to open the door.
She said after informing one of the soldiers that she was alone because her roommate was away, the situation took a disturbing turn.
“He asked how many of us were inside the room and I told him two. I also explained that my roommate was not around,” she said.
Ademola alleged that one of the soldiers suddenly became physically aggressive.
“He pinned me against the bathroom door, told me I would like it and warned me not to shout. I kept begging him,” she said while fighting back tears in the video.
The student said she struggled to free herself and moved towards the door in an attempt to escape.
“I managed to get out of his hold and moved to the door. I told him to leave my room, but he asked if I really wanted him to go,” she alleged.
She further claimed that another soldier entered the room and joined his colleague in trying to restrain her.
“The other one told me to calm down, saying I would enjoy it and that I should not scream,” she alleged.
According to Ademola, she eventually raised an alarm, prompting both soldiers to flee the room.
“I shouted and screamed. Immediately they heard me shouting, both of them left, and I quickly forced the door shut,” she said.
She added that one of her hostel mates later knocked on her door after hearing the commotion to check on her welfare.
The allegations emerged barely a day after reports of the hostel invasion sparked widespread outrage among students and members of the public.
In response, the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, announced on Tuesday that it had commenced an investigation into the allegations of misconduct involving some of its personnel.
The Army said the investigation followed a formal complaint submitted by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D.
It assured the public that the probe would establish the facts surrounding the incident and pledged that any personnel found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
The investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, theft and other reported abuses during the soldiers’ visit to the university hostels.
