A female soldier in Nigeria, who complained about sexual harassment by senior military officers in a viral video hS been arrested.
The soldier, who remains anonymous, raised the alarm about the threats on her life for rejecting sexual advances from senior officers. She also revealed that she had been locked up, evicted from her apartment, and falsely labeled as mentally ill. Additionally, her bank account has been frozen since February 2023, and she has not received her salary without an explanation.
In the video, the soldier identified the officers who have been harassing her as Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo. She claimed that Col. Abdulkareem attempted to rape her on multiple occasions and has denied her access to military courses and passes to see her parents. Despite her efforts to seek help and intervention from senior and junior officers, she has been met with indifference and retaliation.
The soldier expressed her fear for her safety and stated that if anything were to happen to her, the officers she identified should be held responsible. She pleaded for justice and an end to the harassment and oppression she has endured.
Following the release of the viral video, SaharaReporters, an investigative media outlet, initiated an investigation into the matter. However, the Nigerian Army released a statement saying that the soldier had not reported her situation to the appropriate bodies before going public with her grievances.
They reportedly arrested and transferred the soldier from Lagos to Abuja and this has raised concerns about the protection and treatment of whistleblowers in the military. The incident highlights the challenges faced by women in male-dominated institutions, where harassment and abuse often go unaddressed or are even condoned. It also sheds light on the importance of creating safe spaces for victims of sexual harassment to come forward without fear of retribution.
The case of this brave female soldier has become a rallying cry for justice and accountability within the Nigerian military. Her story serves as a stark reminder that progress towards gender equality and the eradication of sexual harassment is still a pressing issue that needs urgent attention. The authorities must ensure a fair and unbiased investigation into her allegations, and her safety should be a top priority. The world will be watching closely to see how this case unfolds and whether justice will prevail.