Army chief stops further comments on female soldier’s abuse

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered all officers of the Nigerian Army to stop further comments on the allegations of maltreatment made by a female soldier, Ruth Ogunleye. 

The directive was given in a military signal dated January 30, 2024, signed by Brig. Gen. P.O Alimikhena, on behalf of the COAS.

PUNCH Online, on Wednesday, obtained a copy of the signal titled ‘Need To Desist From Further Official Comments On The Allegation Made By 19NA/78/1699F PTE Ruth Ogunleye In A Viral TikTok Video On Social Media.’

In a recent viral TikTok video, the female soldier, Ogunleye, had accused her superiors, whom she identified as Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. GS Ogor, and Brig. Gen. IB Solebo, of making her life miserable. 

She particularly accused Col. IB Abdulkareem of being responsible for the difficulties she had faced so far in the Army.

The memo restricting soldiers from further comment on the matter read, “The named soldier of HQ NAMC publicly raised allegations of maltreatment and acts suggesting harassment against three senior officers through her TikTok social media account.

“Accordingly, the COAS vide Reference A directed HQ NAMCP to conduct a detailed investigation of the allegations raised by the soldier.

“To this end, I am directed to respectfully convey the COAS directive that no further official comments on the subject should be made pending the outcome of HQ NAMCP investigation.

“Commanders at all levels are to please caution personnel under command to desist from making official comments on the allegations raised by the soldier.”

The Nigerian Army had earlier promised to investigate Ogunleye’s allegations. 

The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu Onyema said the investigation was to ascertain the extent of her claims.

Onyema also lambasted the female soldier, adding that she failed to seek redress according to the rules of the army. 

He said, “The Nigerian Army has been inundated with audiovisuals making the rounds on social media of the unprofessional conduct of a female soldier in mufti who claimed to have been maltreated by some senior officers.

“It is instructive to state that, considering the gravity of the allegations, NA, as a disciplined force, will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter,” he said.

“We assure the general public that the NA as an institution is committed to upholding the integrity and morals of its personnel and as such, appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

“We urge the public to allow the investigative process to take its course and refrain from making hasty judgments. The NA remains dedicated to serving our nation with honour and integrity.”