Former Nigerian soldier Ruth Ogunleye, who previously accused senior military officers of sexual harassment and alleged that her complaints were ignored, has reportedly been arrested and transferred from Lagos to Kaduna State.
A source familiar with the development disclosed that Ogunleye was taken to Kaduna and is being held in custody while awaiting trial. However, the circumstances surrounding her reported arrest, the specific charges against her and the authorities responsible for her transfer remain unclear.
It is also yet to be established whether the reported arrest is connected to her previous allegations against senior military officers or to an unrelated matter.
Ogunleye previously made headlines in January 2024 after accusing Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo of intimidation and other forms of alleged maltreatment following what she described as unwanted sexual advances.
She also alleged that senior military officers failed to intervene after she sought assistance over the matter.
Among those she said she approached was General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was then the Chief of Defence Staff and is now Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.
In an interview in September 2024, Ogunleye alleged that she had sought intervention from Musa and other senior officers but received no meaningful assistance.
“I sought intervention from people like General C. G. Musa, the current Chief of Defence Staff. I told him. I told so many officers. I sought redress but nothing was done because he is my senior, and nobody was ready to give me a listening ear,” she said.
Ogunleye also claimed that she pursued redress through military procedures, including provisions of the Armed Forces Act, but believed her complaints were not adequately addressed.
The Nigerian Army subsequently investigated the sexual harassment allegations and stated that it found no evidence to substantiate the claims against Abdulkareem. The Army also maintained that Ogunleye was discharged from service on medical grounds following medical assessments.
In October 2024, Ogunleye called for a review of her case, expressing concerns about the investigation’s findings, the possibility of interference and the impact of the controversy on her reputation.
The latest development has raised questions about the circumstances of her reported arrest, her current legal status and whether the matter is linked to her earlier complaints.
As of the time of this report, the specific allegations or charges that may have led to her reported arrest have not been independently established. Official clarification from the relevant authorities is needed to confirm the details.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
