Students of Osun State University, UNIOSUN, Osogbo campus, staged a protest on Monday night after alleging that newly recruited soldiers attacked private hostels in the Shasha area of Oke-Baale, assaulting male students and harassing female residents.

According to accounts reported, a group of recruits from the Nigerian Army Depot near the university reportedly entered hostels around 10 p.m. A student who identified herself only as Kenny said some of the men scaled a fence, forced open a room door, and ordered female occupants to strip. She claimed they fondled the students, seized phones and other valuables, and assaulted those who resisted. The Nation said the allegations had not been independently verified at press time, and the Army had not issued an immediate response.

UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Adebooye, who visited the affected hostels, said about 20 student hostels in Shasha were “ravaged” by recruits. He said he was moved to tears by what he saw, particularly the treatment of female students. 

“It is inhuman for anyone in uniform to forcibly undress ladies and touch them inappropriately,” Adebooye stated. He added that some students were robbed of phones, power banks, and money, and that property including fences, gates, and windows was damaged. He said a military cap was recovered at the scene. The VC called for a probe and warned the university might block the road linking the campus to the depot if students’ safety was not guaranteed.

Following the VC’s visit, UNIOSUN students blocked the Osogbo/Obokun Road leading to the Army Depot. Led by NANS Coordinator, Comrade Kayode Adeyemo, they carried placards and demanded the arrest of the recruits involved.

UNIOSUN’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adewale Adesoji, said a delegation from the Army Depot met with the Vice-Chancellor. He stated the Depot identified the alleged personnel and said they would be dismissed from the recruitment process under military disciplinary rules.

The Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo, also responded through spokesperson Yahaya Ibrahim. He said the Commandant ordered an investigation “to ascertain the facts and bring perpetrators to justice.” Ibrahim urged the NANS Southwest Coordinator, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, to provide evidence and witness statements. 

“The Nigerian Army exists to protect citizens, especially the youth. Any conduct that falls short of that mandate is unacceptable. No student or law-abiding citizen should feel unsafe or be harassed by those entrusted with security,” the statement read.