Ruth Ogunleye, a former Nigerian soldier, has been fired after accusing senior officers of rape and sexual harassment. She shared her claims on TikTok in January, stating that she suffered greatly from the actions of a general and two colonels, sparking outrage in Nigeria and prompting discussions between the women’s minister and the army chief.
After looking into her allegations, the military dismissed them, claiming she was let go for medical reasons due to a health condition. However, Ogunleye released another video on TikTok, asking for the investigation details to be made public. In her video, she recounted her traumatic experiences, including being raped, injected against her will, and detained.
Ogunleye stated, “I want to beg the Nigerian army to post the outcome of the investigation on all social media platforms, so that the world would know what transpired.” The army, represented by General Onyema Nwachukwu, announced that their investigation found no wrongdoing by Colonel I.B Abdulkareem and accused Ogunleye of spreading false narratives and defaming the officers involved.
Women’s rights activists are now calling for an independent investigation, arguing that the military has a history of hiding issues.
Hadiza Ado, a prominent activist, questioned why Ogunleye’s health condition was only mentioned after her dismissal, highlighting concerns about the military’s transparency and accountability.
This situation illustrates the struggles many women face when speaking out against abuse, especially in institutions like the military, where power dynamics can silence victims. Ogunleye’s plea for openness is a reminder of the need for accountability and justice for those who suffer in silence【BBC】.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyl0zl1vlwo