Outrage as Soldiers Allegedly Invade UNIOSUN Hostels, Assault Students

Some soldiers attached to the Army Depot in Osogbo have been accused of invading student hostels at Osun State University, Osogbo, where they allegedly assaulted students and confiscated more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening. According to students, some female residents were allegedly stripped naked and forced to dance unclothed by the soldiers, who were said to be among personnel that recently participated in a passing-out parade.
There were also allegations that a female student was raped during the invasion. However, university authorities said the claim could not be immediately verified, as no victim had been officially identified at the time of reporting.
The soldiers were further accused of assaulting male students and other residents found wearing clothes or caps with army camouflage colours.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Clement Adebooye, visited some of the affected hostels on Tuesday and disclosed that the matter had been reported to the management of the Army Depot.
He described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the institution had always considered the nearby Army Depot a source of security, only to witness students allegedly subjected to such traumatic treatment.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, said more than 20 students had so far been identified as victims.
According to him, the soldiers allegedly assaulted several students, while some female students reported being stripped and indecently touched. He added that male students were also beaten, two students were hospitalised—with one later discharged—and over 60 phones and other gadgets were taken away.
Adesoji further disclosed that three of the alleged perpetrators had been identified and brought to the campus, while the Vice-Chancellor had escalated the matter to the appropriate Army authorities. He stressed that the university could not yet confirm the rape allegation pending further investigation. (Source: PUNCH)