Military personnel from the Army Depot in Osogbo allegedly invaded several off-campus hostels occupied by students of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), assaulting students and confiscating their mobile phones.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday night. University authorities said the matter has been reported to the management of the Army Depot for investigation.
Speaking during a visit to the affected hostels on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Prof. Clement Adeboye, described the incident as unfortunate, expressing disappointment that personnel from the nearby Army Depot, which the university had regarded as a source of security, were allegedly involved in the attack on students.
The university’s spokesperson, Ademola Adesoji, said more than 20 students had so far been identified as victims of the incident. He alleged that the soldiers assaulted both male and female students during the operation.
Adesoji further alleged that some female students reported being stripped and indecently touched by the soldiers, while several male students were also physically assaulted.
He disclosed that two students were taken to hospital following the incident, with one of them discharged on Tuesday morning.
The university spokesperson also alleged that more than 60 items, including mobile phones, were seized from the students during the invasion.
He added that five of the soldiers allegedly involved were identified and brought to the campus on Tuesday before being taken back to the military base.
According to Adesoji, military authorities indicated that disciplinary action, including possible dismissal, would be taken against those found culpable.
He also noted that the university management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, had formally taken up the matter with the military authorities, adding that the institution could not confirm allegations of rape made in connection with the incident.
NAN
