In a revealing interview, former soldier Ruth Ogunleye recounted her traumatic experiences of alleged sexual assault by a superior officer while serving in the Nigerian Army. Ogunleye shared her ordeal with BIODUN BUSARI, detailing incidents that occurred in 2022 at the Nigerian Army Cantonment Medical Centre in Ojo, Lagos.
Ogunleye described how her commanding officer, a Colonel whose name has been withheld, initiated unwanted advances shortly after she joined the Medical Corps. Despite refusing his gifts, she was summoned to a hotel where he propositioned her for sex, offering money and promises of advancement in exchange. After her refusal, she faced retaliation, including increased duties and physical harm.
The situation escalated as the Colonel began administering large doses of a sedative drug against her will, subjecting her to repeated assaults while keeping her unconscious for days. Ogunleye spoke of the trauma of being stored in a body bag and taken to a psychiatric facility, where she was cut off from communication with her family and friends.
Despite the support of some colleagues who recognized her plight, Ogunleye felt trapped, as attempts to seek help from superiors were met with indifference. Eventually, after years of suffering and with the involvement of the Chief of Defence Staff, she initiated a redress process. However, her complaints were often dismissed.
After sharing her story publicly, she connected with other female soldiers facing similar abuses but who remained afraid to speak out. Ultimately, Ogunleye opted for voluntary discharge from the Army after an investigation confirmed her claims and offered her a path to compensation.
Ogunleye’s testimony shines a light on the pervasive culture of abuse and harassment within military ranks, highlighting the need for systemic change to protect vulnerable personnel.
