UNIOSUN condemns hostel invasion as Army orders probe, sanctions on culprits

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, has condemned the alleged harassment and assault of its students by newly recruited Nigerian Army personnel, assuring that it would pursue every legitimate avenue to ensure justice is served.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Adebooye, gave the assurance after carrying out an on-the-spot assessment of privately owned student hostels in the Oke Baale area of Osogbo, where the incident occurred.

A statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, said the vice-chancellor inspected damaged hostel facilities, including broken doors and windows, and listened to accounts from affected students.

Adebooye expressed sympathy with the victims and assured the students that the university would not relent until the matter is satisfactorily resolved.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said it had commenced an investigation into the allegations and appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, to provide evidence and witness statements to aid the probe.

In a statement signed by the Army Public Relations Officer, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, Major Yahaya Ibrahim, the Army said it remained committed to protecting all citizens and would not tolerate any act of harassment, intimidation or assault by its personnel.

“Any conduct that falls short of that mandate is unacceptable. No student or law-abiding citizen should ever feel unsafe or be subjected to harassment, intimidation or assault by those entrusted with the security of lives and property. The alleged actions of the personnel do not reflect the training and character development of recruits at the depot.

“In line with military regulations and the values of the Nigerian Army, the commandant has ordered an investigation to ascertain the facts of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. We therefore give our firm assurance that any personnel found guilty will face the full weight of military law,” he stated.