Army recruits allegedly invade 20 UNIOSUN hostels, assault students
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
No fewer than 20 student hostels of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo campus, were invaded on Monday night by men wearing Nigerian Army uniforms, who reportedly assaulted students, stole valuables and sexually assaulted some female undergraduates.
The incident, which reportedly occurred late on Monday, threw the university community into panic as students recounted their ordeal and called for justice over what they described as an unprovoked attack.
The recruits, believed to be undergoing training at the Nigerian Army Depot in Osogbo, were said to have stormed about 20 student hostels, including Cristalag Hostel and Kings and Queens Hostel, where they allegedly subjected students to hours of intimidation and violence.
Some female students alleged that they were forced to strip and sexually assaulted during the invasion, while several male students said they were beaten and dispossessed of their mobile phones and other valuables.
Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Clement Adebooye, condemned the invasion, describing the perpetrators as “animals” who “should not be living among humans,” and assured students that the university would pursue justice for all victims.
Also reacting, the Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, Josiah Adeyemo, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, to identify those responsible for the alleged attack and ensure they are prosecuted.
He said, “I am calling on President Bola Tinubu to look into this matter as it is very urgent. We cannot keep silent, and we will not allow this to continue in communities where our students reside. We are already worried about the growing insecurity and banditry in the country. The same personnel expected to protect citizens should not become a source of fear for our students. We cannot allow this to stand”.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident, saying investigations are ongoing.
