Human rights activist and Concerned Nigerians convener, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, has strongly condemned the arrest and subsequent relocation of the courageous female soldier who bravely exposed the prevalence of sexual harassment within the Nigerian Army. The soldier, detailed her distressing experiences in a viral video, shedding light on the reprehensible actions of some senior army officers.
In a statement, Adeyanju expressed dismay that instead of addressing the serious allegations made by the soldier, she has faced further oppression and victimization. He decried the threats to her life, arbitrary punishments, eviction from accommodation, false institutionalization in a psychiatric hospital without proper medical assessment, freezing of her bank account, and denial of salary without justification.
Identifying three senior army officers—Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo—as perpetrators, the female soldier accused Col. Abdulkareem of attempted rape and subsequent defamation by labeling her as mentally ill. Despite seeking redress through petitions and interventions from senior and junior officers, her pleas for justice have been ignored.
Adeyanju called on the Nigerian Army authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, emphasizing the need to hold those responsible for sexual harassment, intimidation, and victimization accountable for their actions. He stressed that the female soldier is a victim who should not face further oppression for exposing the injustice she endured.
Commending her bravery, Adeyanju urged the authorities to ensure her safety throughout the investigative process. Concerned Nigerians will closely monitor the case, advocating for justice for the soldier and all victims of sexual harassment within the armed forces. YEPS earlier reported her arrest and transfer to Abuja.
The soldier, serving in Lagos State, revealed senior officers’ threats for rejecting their sexual advances, naming Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo as responsible. She exposed various forms of victimization, including eviction, account freezing, and denial of salary, emphasizing her determination to seek justice and hold the identified officers accountable.