Former Nigerian Soldier Appeals for Publication of Investigation Outcome into Harassment Claims

In a surprising turn of events, Private Ruth Ogunleye, a former female soldier, has requested that the Nigerian Army publish the outcome of its investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against a senior officer, Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem. Ogunleye’s appeal comes after she was discharged from service earlier this year, following a string of allegations against Abdulkareem, including attempted assault, forced confinement to a psychiatric hospital, and administering injections against her will.

In January 2024, Ogunleye took to her TikTok page to share her harrowing experiences, detailing the alleged harassment she faced at the hands of Abdulkareem, as well as two other high-ranking officers, Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo. According to Ogunleye, Abdulkareem made repeated attempts to assault her, forcibly removed her from her residence, and confined her to a psychiatric hospital for several months.

However, in a recent statement, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, revealed that an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence presented found no evidence to support Ogunleye’s allegations against Abdulkareem. Nwachukwu stated that medical reports from the National Hospital in Abuja indicated that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that rendered her medically vulnerable.

Reacting to her discharge from service, Ogunleye expressed gratitude to the Army but pleaded for the outcome of the investigation to be made public, stating that she would be “very grateful” if her request was considered. In a separate post, Ogunleye also called on the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, to come forward and address the matter.

Ogunleye alleged that Kennedy had intervened on her behalf, requesting her to write a discharge letter, which she submitted on her behalf to the Army. She expressed shock that her discharge was tied to a mental illness, demanding to know how she was “boarded out” and where the condition originated.

As the investigation into Ogunleye’s allegations remains shrouded in secrecy, her request for transparency has sparked questions about the Nigerian Army’s handling of the matter and the fate of the soldiers involved.