The convener of Concerned Nigerians, and rights activist Comrade Deji Adeyanju has condemned the recent arrest and subsequent transfer of Ruth Ogunleye, the female soldier who bravely spoke out about the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within the Nigerian Army.
Ruth Ogunleye shared her harrowing experiences in a viral video, shedding light on the appalling actions of some senior army officers.
Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye in a statement called for an investigation into the soldier’s allegations.
Describing the contents of the video as disturbing and should not be swept under the carpet, the Minister said women should not be subjected to any form of maltreatment, dehumanization or harassment.
Adeyanju in a statement remarked: “It is disheartening to learn that instead of the Army authorities to address the serious allegations made by the soldier, she has been subjected to further oppression and victimization.
“Her claims of threats to her life, arbitrary punishments, eviction from her accommodation, and false institutionalization in a psychiatric hospital without proper medical assessment are deeply disturbing. Additionally, the freezing of her bank account and the denial of her salary without justification are clear violations of her rights and an abuse of power.”
The female soldier had identified three senior army officers, namely Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo as the perpetrators of these acts.
She specifically accused Col. Abdulkareem of attempted rape and subsequent defamation by labelling her as mentally ill.
Despite her efforts to seek redress through petitions and interventions from senior and junior officers, her pleas for justice have fallen on deaf ears.
“I call on the Nigerian Army authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations raised by the female soldier. It is imperative that those responsible for the sexual harassment, intimidation, and victimization of this soldier be held accountable for their actions. Such behavior is not only a gross violation of human rights but also undermines the integrity and professionalism of the armed forces,” the activist said.
Adeyanju emphasized that the female soldier is a victim and should not be further oppressed or silenced for speaking out against the injustice she has endured.
“Her bravery in exposing these grave issues must be commended and protected. I urge the authorities to ensure her safety and well-being throughout the investigative process,” he said.
Adeyanju concluded by saying, Concerned Nigerians, will closely monitor the developments of the case.
“Our organization, Concerned Nigerians will closely monitor this. It is our collective responsibility to stand against any form of sexual harassment, abuse of power, and victimization within our armed forces. We demand justice for the soldier and all victims who have suffered in silence,” he said.
SaharaReporters earlier on Tuesday reported that the female soldier had been arrested and moved to Abuja.
SaharaReporters learnt that the soldier was flown to Abuja from Lagos on Tuesday morning.
“The lady who complained in the viral video about sexual harassment in the military has been arrested and moved to Abuja by air this morning. She was flown out accompanied by military police in mufti from Lagos to Abuja,” a top military source told SaharaReporters.
The soldier serving in Lagos State, who did not disclose her name, raised the alarm in the viral video that some senior army officers were threatening her life for rejecting their sexual advances.
She said in the viral video: “I know definitely they will come for me. They will lock me up and they will dismiss me but I don’t care. I can’t endure again. Before coming out to make this video, I can’t endure again. I don’t want to die young.
“If anything should happen to me, please hold Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo responsible, because they don’t want me to grow. They don’t want my progress.
“In 2022, I was posted to Cantonment Medical Center, Ojor where I met Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, who requested for me and I refused. Ever since then, this man has been my nightmare in the army – threatening to dismiss me each time he sees me.
“He ejected me from my room, sent some boys to my house. I have all the evidence and I have witness. He came to my house to eject me.
“Each time I try to expose him or each time any senior officer tries to intervene, he also stigmatizes me, that I have mental illness. He would always tell them that I have mental illness.
“He wrote to DOA three times to board me out of the army. He froze my account for one year. He froze my account since February last year (2023) till date, no salary.
“I have cried to some senior officers. I wrote a petition using Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act. I have seen so many officers, senior officers, junior officers to intervene but none of them is giving me a listening ear. Any time anyone tries to intervene, he will tell them that I have mental illness.
“There was a day he locked me, he almost raped me and when they caught him, he said I have mental illness and he took me to a psychiatric hospital and locked me up there for one month without any medication.
“He has denied me access to military courses, meanwhile, they know very well that my progression in the army is determined by my course attendance. Now course, I have been given admission in a medical school but he refused to release me.
“There was a day I called my dad and my dad intervened but he told my dad to tell me to obey the last order. What is the last order? For him to sleep with me?
“He has denied me everything. I can’t even go on passes to see my parents. No pass, no leave for me. But please and please, if anything should happen to me, hold them responsible, especially Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. GS Ogor and Brig. Gen. IB Solebo. They are my nightmare in the Army.
“They have done everything to tarnish my image because they are all course mates. I don’t know what I have done to them. Till today I haven’t collected salary. I can’t endure this again. Let the worst happen.”
