TDChaos erupted at Osun State University when soldiers from the Osogbo Army Depot allegedly invaded student hostels, leaving a trail of violence, harassment, and destruction.
The shocking incident, confirmed by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, has sparked outrage across Nigeria and ignited widespread debate on military conduct and recruitment standards.
The Incident at Osun State University
According to eyewitness accounts, soldiers stormed multiple hostels late Tuesday night, assaulting students, sexually harassing female residents, and vandalizing property.
Victims reported stolen phones, SIM cards, power banks, and cash, while hostel doors and windows were smashed during the raid.
A female student recounted:
“I was in my hostel cooking when I noticed they were around.
“Later, everything went quiet, then noise started again.
“They asked me to open my door. I opened it, and it was chaos.”
Osun State University Vice-Chancellor’s Reaction
The Vice-Chancellor, visibly shaken, condemned the attack in strong terms:
“We are truly wounded. The people we recruited to protect us have turned against us.
“They raped our students, stole their belongings, and destroyed property.
“This is unacceptable in any nation, and it should not be acceptable in our university or in Osun State.”
He confirmed that five soldiers have been arrested.
He also emphasized that recruits should be restricted to barracks to prevent further incidents.
He personally visited 12 hostels, describing the trauma and psychological torture suffered by students as “unbearable.”
Army Response
The Nigerian Army Commandant at the Osogbo Depot issued a statement appealing for calm and assuring justice.
“Any conduct that falls short of our mandate to protect citizens is unacceptable.
“No student or law-abiding citizen should ever feel unsafe or be subjected to harassment or assault by those entrusted with security.
“A full investigation has been ordered, and any personnel found guilty will face military justice,” said Major Yahaya Ibrahim, Army Public Relations Officer.
The Commandant also invited the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone to provide evidence from the Osun State University and witness statements to aid the investigation.
Public Outrage
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians expressing anger at the military’s misconduct.
“Users on X questioned recruitment standards and linked the episode to broader issues of governance and security in Nigeria.
One viral post read:
“Nigerian soldiers broke into Osun State University, assaulted and beat students, raped and harassed female students, destroyed property, and stole phones & money.”
Next Steps in Osun State University
While investigations are ongoing, Osun State University students and civil society groups are demanding accountability and systemic reforms to prevent future abuses.
The Vice-Chancellor has pledged to continue pressing for justice, while the Army insists that guilty personnel will face the full weight of military law.
The incident has reignited national debate on the role of the military in civilian spaces, raising urgent questions about discipline, oversight, and the protection of Nigeria’s youth.
This is a developing story. This Dawn News will bring updates as they unfold.
Stay tuned…
