UNIOSUN Student Alleges Sexual Assault During Hostel Raid as Army Opens Investigation

A female student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has alleged that she narrowly escaped being sexually assaulted after soldiers who reportedly invaded student hostels in Osogbo allegedly forced their way into her room during Monday night’s disturbance. The claims come as the Nigerian Army has launched an investigation into the conduct of the personnel accused of carrying out the raid.

The student, identified simply as Ademola, recounted her ordeal in an emotional video circulated online, claiming she was alone in her hostel room preparing a meal when the incident occurred.

According to reports, the soldiers, believed to be personnel from the Army Depot, Osogbo, allegedly stormed off-campus student hostels, assaulting residents and making away with more than 60 mobile phones and other valuables. Some female students also alleged they were stripped naked and forced to dance unclothed during the invasion. The incident has sparked widespread outrage among students and prompted protests on campus.

Narrating her experience, Ademola said the atmosphere initially appeared to have calmed after she noticed soldiers around the area, only for the situation to escalate again moments later.

Recounting the encounter, she said: “My name is Ademola…, a student of Osun State University. I was in my hostel room cooking when I noticed they (soldiers) were around. After a while everything died down. However, later, we started hearing noise again.

“They started pointing their touch to my room and asked who was there and what were they doing this for. The next thing, they asked me to open my door and I opened the door.

“So, one of them asked how many of us was inside the room and I told him two. I also told him my roommate wasn’t around.”

She alleged that after learning she was alone, one of the soldiers became physically aggressive.

“Then, he pinned me to my bathroom door, told me I would like it. He also told me not to shout. So, I begged him.

“I had to look for a way to get out of his hold and moved to the door. On moving to the door, I told him to move out. He asked if I wanted him to move out,” she added.

Ademola further claimed that another soldier entered the room and joined in trying to subdue her.

She said, “While on that, his colleague came in and also told me to calm down, that I would love it and that I shouldn’t shout.

“So, when they started moving, I shouted and screamed. After shouting, they both moved out and I had to use force to close the door.”

The student explained that one of her hostel mates later came to check on her after hearing her cries for help.

“After closing the door, one of my hostel mates that was there came to knock on my door to check up on me and he left,” she said.

In response to the allegations, the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, announced that it had commenced an investigation following a petition submitted by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D.

The Army said the probe would establish the facts surrounding the incident and assured the public that any personnel found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with military regulations.