Army Chief Orders Silence on Female Soldier’s Allegations

Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered commanders and personnel to refrain from further commenting on the allegations of Corporal Ruth Ogunleye, who accused senior army officers of sexual harassment. Ogunleye, a female soldier, accused two colonels and a Brigadier-General of sexual harassment, intimidation, and threat to life in a viral video.

She was arrested and flown to Abuja from Lagos. The army has since begun an investigation into the alleged maltreatment. The army has asked commanders at all levels to caution personnel under their command to desist from making official comments on the allegations raised by the soldier.

The internal memo signed by Brigadier General PO Alimikhena on behalf of Lieutenant General Lagbaja directed HQ NACMP to conduct a detailed investigation on the allegations raised by the soldier.

The army chief has asked commanders to refrain from making official comments on the matter pending the outcome of the investigation. Military authorities arrested and detained Ruth, claiming she was undergoing rehabilitation, but left the senior male officers she accused of sexual harassment alone.