The Nigerian Army Depot in Osogbo has asked the management of University of Osun (UNIOSUN) to provide evidence to support allegations that some of its personnel raped female students during a recent invasion of the institution’s hostels.
Military operatives raided several hostels of the university on Monday night, allegedly assaulting over 20 students.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Clement Adegbite confirmed the incident to journalists during a visit to the affected hostels on Tuesday, describing the attack as a “harrowing experience”.
Ademola Adesoji, spokesperson of the university, alleged that the soldiers sexually molested some female students, beat up their male colleagues and cart away over 60 mobile phones.
Adesoji said the university reported the matter to the military authorities, while five soldiers had been detained over the incident.
The military had confirmed the attack and announced that a board of inquiry had been constituted to investigate the alleged misconduct.
However, in a follow-up statement issued on Friday, Ibrahim Yahaya, assistant director of public relations at the Osogbo army depot, said the military had taken note of the rape claims being circulated on social media but had yet to receive any formal complaint or evidence to substantiate them.
“At this time, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo has not received any formal complaint, medical report, or credible evidence from any alleged victim, witness, or the University Management to substantiate the claim of rape by our personnel,” the statement reads.
“In the absence of such concrete evidence, we view the widespread circulation of this specific allegation as unconfirmed and potentially misleading to the public.”
The military appealed to the university and the alleged victims to assist the ongoing investigation with credible evidence.
“You are kindly requested to come forward and present your evidence directly and confidentially to the Board of Inquiry at the Headquarters, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, or through the Army Public Relations Office,” the statement reads.
“Your identity and safety will be protected in line with military and legal procedures.”
The military stressed that presenting such evidence “is the only credible path to identifying and prosecuting the culprits if they exist”.
The army also appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the university management and the public to avoid circulating unverified information.
