The Nigerian Army could dismiss some superior officers accused of alleged abuse against a female soldier spotted in a recent viral video, Punch Metro has learnt.
This publication reported as seen in a recent viral video the case of an alleged abuse of a female soldier identified as Ogunleye Ruth.
In the video, Ruth accused her superiors identified as Col.IB Abdulkareem, Col. GS Ogor and Brig. Gen.IB Solebo, of harassment and intimidation because she rejected Abdulkareem’s sexual advances, adding that if anything happens to her, they should be held responsible.
“I can’t endure again. Before coming out to do this video I can’t endure again. I don’t want to die before anybody will dismiss me from this army.
“If anything should happen to me, please hold Col.IB Abdulkareem, Col. GS Ogor and Brig. Gen.IB Solebo responsible. They don’t want me to grow. They don’t want my progress. They want to kill me.”
“He threatened to dismiss me because I refused his sexual advances. He came to my apartment to eject me. He sent some boys to my house. If you think I’m a lying I have evidence and witnesses”, she added.
The Nigerian Army in reaction to the viral video revealed that an investigation has been launched into the allegations made by the female soldier.
In phone interview with Punch Metro on Sunday, a top military source who craved anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter confirmed that the investigation has started.
The source said, “I can tell you categorically that every army personnel are interested in the case. Panel has been set up to investigate the matter.
“Board and the Military Police Department of the army had started the investigation already at 81 Division provost Lagos..
“But the thing is that the female officer must have a tenable evidence.
“Like the issue of her account that was frozen, it is a very good evidence but she must be sure that she was not involved in AWOL, which means absent from work without permission. Because if she is involved in that her account could be frozen. Salary will be paid into her account but she can’t collect it because letter would have been sent to the bank to restrict her from collecting the money.
The officer added, “We are waiting for the outcome of the investigation. It is not a thing to be swept under carpet because army maintain highly level of discipline at all times and they must carry out justice to deter others.”
Speaking on the possible penalty if the officers are found culpable, he said, “As the case maybe, if found guilty, they could face demotion, compulsory retirement, even dismissed from the service with humiliation and embarrassment.”
He however noted that if they female officer lied against them she will be dismissed from the army.
The army officer explained that it is not the first time such would happen in army as it happens in every sector of the society but they concealed it, adding that female officers faces such harassment even before they are enlisted in the service.
Col.IB Abdulkareem is a Commander in Psychiatric Department of Military Hospital, Ojo Cantonment while Col. GS Ogor is the CMD, 68, Nigeria Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, and Brig. Gen.IB Solebo was a former Corps Commander, Bonny Camp Medical Headquarters, all in Lagos.
