The Nigerian Army has discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye after her allegations of sexual assault against senior officers were investigated. Despite her dismissal, she receives a 50% pension due to concerns over her mental health, raising discussions on the military's handling of such claims.
The Nigerian Army has discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye after she publicly accused senior officers, including Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, of sexual assault and harassment. Ogunleye made these allegations in January 2024 via her TikTok account, claiming mistreatment from multiple officers, including forced eviction and wrongful detention in a psychiatric facility.
Following her accusations, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, initiated an investigation led by the Military Police. Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, stated that the investigation found no evidence to support Ogunleye's claims against Colonel Abdulkareem. Furthermore, the inquiry revealed concerns regarding Ogunleye's mental health, with evaluations indicating she was medically vulnerable.
Despite a prior recommendation for her discharge on medical grounds in 2022, the Army had previously provided her care before the eventual dismissal. The Army cited her online behavior and mental health as contributing factors to her discharge. While Ogunleye is not eligible for full pension benefits due to her dismissal, she has been granted a 50% monthly pension for life along with other benefits.