Army orders probe as UNIOSUN VC, students protest soldiers’ invasion
July 1, 2026 1:52 am
UNIOSUN gate
The Commandant of the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, has ordered an investigation into allegations that newly recruited soldiers invaded hostels of Osun State University students, assaulted residents and carted away their belongings.
The directive came on Tuesday as the vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Clement Adebooye, members of the institution’s management and hundreds of students staged a protest over the incident, blocking the Osogbo/Ikirun Road at the Sasa area of Osogbo.
PUNCH Metro gathered that soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo, allegedly stormed off-campus hostels around the Oke Baale area on Monday evening, assaulting students and vandalising property.
The students alleged that the soldiers seized more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic gadgets during the raid.
Some female students also alleged that they were stripped naked and sexually assaulted, while male students and other residents wearing clothes or caps in military camouflage colours were reportedly beaten.
Addressing the protesters, Adebooye described the invasion as “barbaric” and “uncalled for,” saying the matter had been reported to the army authorities.
“We have reported the incident to the management of the Army Depot. It is sad that the Army Depot located close to our campus, which we believed would provide security for us, could have personnel who would subject our students to this kind of harrowing experience,” the vice-chancellor said.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, said more than 20 students had so far been identified as victims.
He said, “The soldiers came from the army depot, Osogbo. They assaulted the students. Some female students alleged that they were stripped and touched inappropriately.
“Some male students were also assaulted. Two students were hospitalised, although one has since been discharged. More than 60 gadgets, including mobile phones, were seized and taken away.
“Three of the alleged perpetrators were identified and brought to the campus this morning. The vice-chancellor has taken up the matter with the army authorities. We cannot confirm the allegation of rape at this stage.”
The protesters demanded that those responsible be identified and prosecuted, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We came to learn, not to be raped”. “Our girls are not safe anymore,” and “The Nigerian Army is not above the law; expose the perpetrators.”
The demonstration disrupted vehicular movement along the busy Osogbo/Ikirun Road for several hours.
Earlier, Adebooye said he visited the affected hostels and was deeply disturbed by what he saw.
“I went round the hostels as early as 8 a.m. and saw the extent of the destruction. I was moved to tears by what these military boys did to our students, especially the female students. It is inhumane for anyone in uniform to forcefully undress women and touch them inappropriately.
“Fortunately, one of the soldiers left behind his cap, so it cannot be denied that military personnel were involved. They took phones, power banks, money and other valuables. They broke through fences, gates and windows to gain access to the students and allegedly told them to come to the barracks beside us to recover their phones,” he said.
Reacting to the allegations, the army, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Depot Nigerian Army, Major Yahaya Ibrahim, said the commandant had ordered a full investigation.
The statement read in part, “The Depot wishes to reiterate that the Nigerian Army exists to protect all citizens, especially the youth, who are the future of the nation. 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.
“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 any perpetrators to justice.”
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