HURIWA, others fume over arrest of ‘ harassed’ female soldier
HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria ( HURIWA) and other concerned Nigerians have kicked against the arrest and detention of a female soldier, Miss Ruth Ogunleye, over her public protest against alleged sexual harassment and dehumanisation by senior Army officers.
National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, condemned the reported arrest of the lady, whom he described as a victim of severe human rights violations.
The civil rights advocacy group said her arrest, if confirmed as reported, was unconstitutional, primitive and runs contrary to the image being created by the military hierarchy in recent years regarding rules of engagement.
“Does this mean that all the resources, both human and financial, committed by the military institutions towards driving the process of establishing functional human rights desks and a fullfledged department for civil and military relations are now being thrown to the dogs?” he queried.
The group asked the Chief of Army Staff ( COAS), Lt- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to immediately and speedily order the release from detention of the young female soldier over her public statement protesting serial sexual harassment, intimidation, dehumanisation and false imprisonment by senior officers of the Army, who sought from her, unsuccessfully, sexual gratification.
ALSO, Concerned Nigerians has condemned the arrest and subsequent transfer of the female soldier, who bravely spoke out about the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within the Army.
Convener of the group, Deji Adeyanju, stated, yesterday, in Abuja, that the decision of the army authorities subjected the female soldier to further oppression and victimisation.
He advised the leadership of the army to address the serious allegations made by the soldier.
“Her claims of threats to her life, arbitrary punishment, eviction from her accommodation and false institutionalisation in a psychiatric hospital without proper medical assessment are deeply disturbing.
“Additionally, the freezing of her bank account and the denial of her salary without justification are clear violations of her rights and an abuse of power,” Adeyanju stated.
According to him, the female soldier identified his tormentors and accused one of them of attempted rape and subsequent defamation by labelling her as mentally ill.