The Headquarters of Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, has appealed to alleged victims and witnesses to provide evidence to assist the ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct involving some recently passed-out military personnel.
The statement came after management and students of the Osun State University, UNIOSUN, alleged that newly passed out non-commissioned officers on Monday night invaded several hostels of the institution, carted away phones, assaulted male students and raped female students.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, Major Ibrahim Yahaya, said the appeal followed recent developments after an earlier press release on Tuesday on the allegations.
The statement said the Nigerian Army remained committed to conducting a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into all claims of unprofessional conduct involving its personnel.
According to the Army, “The Board of Inquiry previously constituted to investigate the allegations is continuing its work and will leave no stone unturned.”
The statement added that “any personnel found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other extant laws. The Army remained professional and did not condone indiscipline”.
On allegations of rape circulating on social media, the Army said the commandant had taken note of claims attributed to the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, and amplified on various online platforms.
The Army stated, “At this time, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo has not received any formal complaint, medical report, or credible evidence from any alleged victim, witness, or the University Management to substantiate the claim of rape by our personnel.
“In the absence of such concrete evidence, we view the widespread circulation of this specific allegation as unconfirmed and potentially misleading to the public.”
The military urged all parties to avoid actions or statements capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation or escalating tensions within the affected communities.
The statement appealed directly to alleged victims of assault or sexual misconduct, as well as eyewitnesses with verifiable information, including videos, photographs, medical records or statements, to present such evidence confidentially to the Board of Inquiry at the Headquarters of Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, or through the Army Public Relations Office.
The Army assured members of the public that “your identity and safety will be protected in line with military and legal procedures. Presenting credible evidence remained the only credible path to identifying and prosecuting the culprits if they exist.”
The Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, also appealed to the media, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the university management and the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
“The Army remained committed to civil-military cooperation, the protection of students, the promotion of human rights and providing updates as the investigation progresses,” it concluded.
DAILY POST had reported on Tuesday that UNIOSUN formally reported the attack on its students by soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo.
Also, the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, announced the commencement of an investigation into allegations of misconduct involving some of its personnel following concerns raised by UNIOSUN management and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D.
UNIOSUN: Army seeks evidence over misconduct allegations against personnel