Former Nigerian soldier Ruth Ogunleye, who accused senior military officers of sexual harassment and failure to address her complaints, has reportedly been arrested and transferred to Kaduna State.
According to a source familiar with the development, Ogunleye was taken from Lagos and is currently being held in custody while awaiting trial. However, the circumstances surrounding her reported arrest and the specific charges against her remain unclear.
The source alleged that the arrest was ordered by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.). However, the report did not provide independent confirmation of the alleged order.
Ogunleye previously attracted public attention in January 2024 when she accused Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo of intimidation and other forms of alleged mistreatment following what she described as unwanted sexual advances.
She also accused senior military officers of failing to intervene after she reported the alleged harassment.
Among those she said she approached for assistance was General Musa, who was then the Chief of Defence Staff and is now the Minister of Defence.
In an interview in September 2024, Ogunleye said she had sought intervention from Musa and several other senior officers but did not receive the assistance she expected.
She also claimed to have pursued redress through military procedures, including Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, but maintained that her complaints were not adequately addressed.
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The Nigerian Army subsequently said its investigation found no evidence to substantiate the sexual harassment allegations against Abdulkareem. The military 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 concern that the investigation’s findings might have been tampered with. She also spoke about the stigma surrounding the allegations and the possible impact on her reputation.
It remains unclear whether her reported arrest is connected to her previous allegations against military officers or another matter.
Efforts to obtain clarification from the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Colonel Appolonia Anele, were reportedly unsuccessful, as she did not answer calls or respond to a message seeking information about Ogunleye’s arrest and current legal status.
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