JUST IN: Ex-Soldier Ruth Ogunleye reportedly arrested amid unclear whereabouts

By Ogundele Eniola

Former Nigerian soldier Ruth Ogunleye, who accused senior military officers of sexual harassment and alleged that her complaints were ignored, has reportedly been arrested and transferred from Lagos, although her current whereabouts remain unclear.

SaharaReporters reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the development, that Ogunleye had been taken into custody and was awaiting trial. However, the report contained conflicting accounts of her possible destination, with Kaduna and Abuja mentioned, leaving uncertainty over where she is being held.

Ogunleye became prominent in January 2024 after accusing Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem and other senior military officers of sexual harassment, intimidation and maltreatment. She alleged that her efforts to obtain intervention from senior military authorities did not yield the expected results.

The allegations generated public debate over the handling of sexual-harassment complaints within the military and the protection available to personnel who report alleged misconduct.

In September 2024, the Nigerian Army announced that its investigation had found no evidence to substantiate Ogunleye’s sexual-harassment allegations against Abdulkareem. The Army also disclosed that she had been discharged from service on medical grounds.

Ogunleye subsequently challenged the outcome of the investigation and called for a review of the findings.

The circumstances surrounding her reported arrest remain uncertain. The report did not identify the specific offence she was allegedly arrested for, state whether formal charges had been filed or name the court expected to handle the case.

It also attributed the reported arrest to an alleged directive by Defence Minister Christopher Musa. However, that claim has not been independently verified.

As of the time of reporting, no official confirmation from the Defence Ministry or the Nigerian Army was included in the available accounts.

Clarification is therefore needed on the reason for Ogunleye’s reported detention, her present location, the legal basis for her alleged transfer and whether she has been formally charged.

Until the relevant authorities provide confirmation, details surrounding the reported arrest should be treated as unverified.