Nigerian Soldier Dismissed After Alleging Rape Criticizes Military`s Response, Calls for Investigation to be Made Public

A Nigerian soldier, Ruth Ogunleye, who was dismissed from the military after making serious allegations of rape and sexual harassment against senior officers, has taken to social media to condemn the army's handling of her case. In a second video posted on TikTok, Ogunleye voiced her frustration and called for the results of the army’s investigation to be made public. Ogunleye, formerly a private in the Nigerian army, first shared her traumatic experience on TikTok in January 2024, alleging that she had been raped by a general and two colonels. Her accusations caused an uproar across Nigeria, leading to the involvement of the country’s women’s minister, who raised concerns with the army chief. Ogunleye described enduring severe mistreatment, including being injected, confined in a casket, and held at gunpoint. Despite the public outrage, the Nigerian military swiftly dismissed her claims after conducting an internal investigation. According to a statement from army spokesman General Onyema Nwachukwu, the investigation concluded that the accused officers, including Colonel IB Abdulkareem, had not committed any offences. The army further revealed that Ogunleye had been discharged on medical grounds, as she was suffering from a condition that made her vulnerable, though no specific details about her medical state were disclosed.

In her follow-up video, Ogunleye expressed her dissatisfaction with the military's response. "Firstly I want to thank General Onyema Nwachukwu for posting me on all social media platforms and newspapers; it shows how powerful I am," she sarcastically remarked. She went on to recount her harrowing ordeal, stating, "On January 9th, 2024, I came on social media to complain about how I was harassed, raped, injected, and placed inside a casket. How I had a gun pointed at me, was handcuffed, and kept inside an office for days." Ogunleye concluded her message by urging the Nigerian army to publicly release the outcome of the investigation on all social media platforms, "so that the world would know what transpired." Her demand for transparency has garnered support from women’s rights activists and organizations.

Women's rights advocate Hadiza Ado, founder of the Women and Children Initiative, called for an independent investigation into the case. She criticized the military for attempting to downplay Ogunleye’s claims and questioned why the soldier’s medical condition was only cited after her dismissal. "If the army investigation is saying she had a medical condition that affects her, then for how long was she in the service with that condition, and why are they bringing it up now after her dismissal?" Ado asked. General Nwachukwu, in defending the army’s position, accused Ogunleye of spreading "false narratives against Colonel Abdulkareem and other senior officers" and engaging in "cyberbullying and defamation" through online platforms. Despite the army’s dismissal of Ogunleye’s allegations, many are pushing for greater accountability. Activists argue that sexual misconduct within the military should not be swept under the rug and that independent scrutiny is crucial in ensuring justice for victims. They warn that the case reflects a broader issue of systemic failures to address sexual harassment and abuse in the Nigerian armed forces. Ogunleye's case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about the treatment of women in Nigeria, particularly in male-dominated institutions like the military. While the official investigation has been closed, the calls for a more transparent and independent probe continue to grow. As the story unfolds, many are watching closely to see how the Nigerian government and military will respond to increasing demands for justice and accountability in this high-profile case.