Newly Recruited Soldiers Invade Osun Varsity Campus, Assault Students

By Ayodele Oni 

Management of the Osun state University, Osogbo, has alleged that troops from the Army Depot, Osogbo, invaded students hostels in the state capital on Monday evening, assaulted students, seized over 60 mobile phones and other gadgets, while some female students were stripped naked.

The attack, which was said to have been carried out by soldiers that are part of a batch that had their passing-out parade last Saturday, has triggered outrage on campus and prompted a formal complaint to Army authorities.

According to the university, the soldiers stormed halls of residence and targeted students wearing clothes or caps in Army colours.

Report claimed that male students were reportedly beaten, while several female students said they were stripped naked and forced to dance unclad.

University Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, told _The PUNCH_ that “some female students said they were stripped by the soldiers. They also said they touched them indecently.”

He added that some male students were also assaulted.

“Over 60 gadgets, including phones, were seized from the students,” Adesoji said. “Over 20 have already been identified as the victims.”

There is also an allegation of rape, but the university said it could not be confirmed as of press time. “We can’t confirm the alleged rape yet,” Adesoji stated. No victim had been identified when the report was filed.

According to Adesoji, two students were hospitalised after the attack, but one was discharged on Tuesday morning.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Clement Adebooye, visited the affected hostels on Tuesday and said the incident had been reported to the management of the Army Depot, which is located close to the campus.

“It is sad that the Army Depot, located close to the campus, which we felt would give us security cover, could eventually release men that will subject our students to this kind of harrowing experience,” Adebooye said while addressing affected students.

The university revealed that three of the soldiers involved had been identified and were brought to the campus on Tuesday morning. The VC said he has “taken the matter up with the Army authority.