Nigerian Army faces scrutiny over alleged abuses against university students in Osun State
via Punch Nigeria7 min read
Allegations have emerged against Nigerian Army soldiers in Osogbo, Osun State, following claims of an invasion of student hostels at Osun State University. A female student, identified as Ademola, reported that soldiers assaulted students, stole mobile phones and valuables, and attempted sexual assault. Further claims include female students being stripped naked and forced to dance. The Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Odunayo Adebooye, confirmed the invasion and stated the university has petitioned the Nigerian Army, urging the Federal Government to dismiss any officers found guilty. The Army Commandant has reportedly ordered an inquiry. These incidents follow a pattern of alleged military misconduct, including the killing of a National Youth Service Corps member in Abuja in April, the death of a 13-year-old in Akwa Ibom in January, and an assault on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company headquarters in Lagos last year. Human rights organizations like Action on Armed Violence and Amnesty International have documented numerous civilian casualties and deaths in military custody, highlighting systemic issues. The article calls for decisive action from President Bola Tinubu, including swift prosecution for soldiers who abuse authority and accountability for commanders, alongside a re-evaluation of the military's domestic role to strengthen civilian control and uphold democratic principles.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadArchbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, indicated a potential future visit by Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria. This statement followed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu expressed his anticipation for the Pope's visit, highlighting the need for his spiritual engagement for peace and acknowledging the Catholic Church's significant contributions to education, health, and humanitarian efforts in Nigeria. Archbishop Gallagher's visit is part of engagements leading up to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See. He noted the strong bilateral relationship, evidenced by Nigeria's recent deployment of Paul Adikwu as ambassador-designate to the Holy See. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasized Nigeria's substantial Catholic population and the Church's broad impact beyond worship, including education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue. President Tinubu also addressed Nigeria's security challenges, stating that conflicts are not religiously driven and his administration is committed to promoting religious harmony and investing in youth to prevent radicalization.
Must ReadMore than 3.5 million people have been forcibly displaced across the Lake Chad Basin due to escalating insecurity, affecting Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR reported that 8.2 million people now require humanitarian assistance in the region. Security incidents increased by 80 percent between January 2024 and April 2026, with nearly 1,800 incidents and over 5,700 fatalities recorded from September 2025 to May 2026. Borno State in northeastern Nigeria is identified as the crisis epicenter, with violence spreading to the North-West and parts of the Middle Belt. Since January 2026, over 77,500 people have been displaced, including 16,000 refugees from Nigeria who fled to Niger's Diffa region. Violence is increasingly spilling across national borders, with attacks in one country triggering displacement in neighboring states. Civilians bear the brunt, with one in five households feeling unsafe and women and girls facing increased risks of violence. The proportion of people knowing violence survivors rose from 19 percent in 2025 to 27 percent in 2026. Children are severely affected, with about half out of school in the worst-hit areas, and one in four respondents reporting separated or unaccompanied children in their communities. Andrew Wyllie, UNHCR Deputy Director for the West and Central Africa Bureau, commended governments for keeping borders open and supporting displaced communities. UNHCR and partners urgently need $29
Must ReadThe implementation of financial autonomy for Nigeria's 774 local government councils remains stalled, nearly two years after a Supreme Court ruling directed direct allocation from the Federation Account. Sources within the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress indicate that President Bola Tinubu's reluctance to confront state governors, who are crucial for his 2027 re-election bid, is a major factor. Many local governments across the country still receive funds through state governments, with officials in Kano, Plateau, and Kaduna states confirming the continued use of joint accounts and state control over fund disbursement. The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees NULGE attributes the delay to a lack of political will and calls for sanctions against the Accountant-General of the Federation for non-compliance. NULGE's National Secretary, Isah Gambo, argues that direct allocations would empower local governments to address security and development challenges. However, Jigawa State's ALGON Chairman, Sibu Abdullahi, reported that all 27 local government areas in his state now receive direct allocations, managing their finances independently. The African Democratic Congress ADC has accused President Tinubu of lacking the political will to enforce the Supreme Court judgment, suggesting his pronouncements are for public consumption rather than actual implementation, due to his reliance on governors for political support.