In a controversial turn of events, the Nigerian female soldier who recently spoke out against sexual harassment in a viral video has been arrested and transported from Lagos to Abuja. The soldier, who remains unnamed, had raised alarm about threats to her life and detailed alleged sexual advances from senior military officers.
According to SaharaReporters, a top military source confirmed that the female soldier was flown to Abuja on Tuesday morning accompanied by military police in mufti. The arrest has sparked concerns about the treatment of individuals who come forward with complaints against senior officers.
In the viral video, the soldier, stationed in Lagos State, accused Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo of persistent harassment since her posting to Cantonment Medical Centre, Ojo, Lagos, in 2022. She claimed to have faced unjust treatment, including being locked up, ejected from her apartment, and falsely placed in a psychiatric hospital for a month.
The soldier further alleged that her bank account had been frozen since February 2023, and she had not received her salary without any valid reason. She accused Col. Abdulkareem of attempted rape on multiple occasions and claimed that he had denied her access to army courses and passes to visit her parents.
Despite efforts to seek intervention through petitions and discussions with senior and junior officers, the soldier asserted that her pleas went unanswered. She expressed fear for her life and held Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo responsible for any harm that may befall her.
SaharaReporters had initiated an investigation into the alleged maltreatment, prompting an official response from the army. Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, noted in a release that the female soldier had not informed relevant bodies and institutions about her predicament before releasing the video. The arrest now adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing situation, raising questions about the treatment of military personnel who bring such serious allegations to light.
