The authorities at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, have called on the Nigerian Army to move its checkpoint elsewhere following the incidence of alleged rape of its student last Wednesday.
It also condemned the alleged sexual assault on the victim by one of the soldiers stationed at a checkpoint between Akungba Akoko and Ikare Akoko in Ondo State.
It suggested the checkpoint be moved to between Oba-Akoko and Ose “where kidnappings and robberies occur almost on a daily basis.”
EduCeleb.com earlier reported that the university had set up a committee to independently investigate the incidence just as the army had notified the public of the arrest of the officers on duty when the alleged assault happened.
“The University, after its preliminary investigation, noted with concern and amazement that a soldier of the Federal Republic Nigeria, whose duty, among others, is to protect lives of its citizens can turn round to exhibit such reprobate tendencies,” Acting Registrar of the University, Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa said in a statement.
“The University, while commending the swift action taken so far by the Brigade Commander on this inhuman and brazen assault on a defenceless and innocent student, calls on the authorities of the Nigerian Army to deal decisively with the perpetrator(s) of the act against humanity.”
“While we are not unaware of the security situation in the country, we strongly request that the checkpoint be dismantled and the soldiers moved to between Oba-Akoko and Ose where kidnappings and robberies occur almost on a daily basis.”
The University called for calm and assured the students that “we will continue to ensure that adequate security measures are put in place to enable them continue to pursue their academic activities without molestation.”
In a related development, EduCeleb.com also reported that the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu proposed that the soldiers in army custody be handed over to the police for independent prosecution.
