Students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) have alleged that they were assaulted by newly recruited Nigerian Army personnel who reportedly invaded their off-campus hostels in the Oke-Baale area of Osogbo on Tuesday night.
The students, mostly females, claimed the recruits stormed the hostels, wielding plastic pipes and forcing residents to obey their orders.
Some of the victims alleged that female students were ordered to strip naked and dance, while others said they were physically assaulted and subjected to various forms of punishment.
One of the victims, Eunice Oretade, alleged that the soldiers forced her to open her door before ordering her to kneel.
She claimed one of the recruits grabbed her from behind and fondled her breasts while attempting to force her to remove her underwear. According to her, the soldier only stopped after she screamed and another recruit intervened.
Another student, Adeyemo Anuoluwapo, alleged that the recruits banged on hostel doors and demanded that female students strip naked.
She said she sustained injuries after her door hit her head and was later beaten with a plastic pipe. She added that she suffered a seizure during the incident, was rushed to the hospital, admitted overnight and advised to undergo further medical examination.
Another student, Ademola Jesunbo, alleged that she was cooking in her room when the recruits arrived.
She claimed one of the soldiers pinned her against the toilet door and attempted to sexually assault her before she managed to free herself and raised an alarm, forcing the suspects to flee.
Jesunbo further alleged that the recruits later returned under the guise of conducting a search, ransacked her room and seized her mobile phone after she refused to surrender it voluntarily.
A Microbiology student, Salau Tomiwa, also alleged that he was beaten with plastic pipes after refusing an order to come out of his hostel.
He claimed four of the recruits assaulted him and seized his mobile phone after other students fled the hostel.
According to sources at the Nigerian Army Depot in Osogbo, five soldiers allegedly linked to the incident have been arrested.
The sources disclosed that the suspects are currently being investigated by the Military Police.
They added that the personnel would be dismissed from service if found guilty, stressing that the alleged conduct does not reflect the values and traditions of the Nigerian Army.
(VANGUARD)
