‘Sexual harassment’: Publish outcome of probe, discharged female soldier tells army

Ruth Ogunleye, an ex-soldier, has asked the Nigerian Army to publish the outcome of the investigation that led to her discharge.

In January, Ogunleye accused three senior officers, including Ishiaku Abdulkareem, a colonel, of sexual harassment, intimidation and threat to her life.

The female soldier alleged that the colonel made sexual advances to her which she rejected.

She claimed that the senior officer consequently threatened to dismiss her from the army, denied her promotion courses, and rejected her army pass request.

She also narrated how the colonel allegedly evicted her from her apartment and locked her up in a psychiatric hospital.

Ogunleye added that whenever she tried to report Abdulkareem to senior officers, he always told them that she was battling mental illness.

DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY

On September 24, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said investigations into Ogunleye’s allegations showed that Abdulkareem was innocent.

Nwachukwu said the colonel has been exonerated of the allegations while Ogunleye has been discharged from the service.

He added that in the course of investigation, it was observed that Ogunleye’s “mental condition” had worsened.

Reacting to the spokesperson’s statement in a video on TikTok, Ogunleye asked the Nigerian Army to publicise the outcome of its investigation in the same manner her discharge was publicised.

“It is no longer news that I was discharged from the service on June 15, 2024. I humbly request that the Nigerian Army publish the outcome of the investigation that led to my discharge,” she said.

“On January 9, 2024, I came on social media to complain about how I was harassed by Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, Colonel G.S. Ogor, and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo.

“I beg the Nigerian Army to post the outcome of the investigation on its social media platforms so that the whole world will know what truly transpired and what led to my discharge.

“I will be very grateful if my request is considered.”