The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Clement Adebooye, has declared that the university will explore alternative options to seek justice if the outcome of the Nigerian Army’s investigation into the alleged assault of its students by Army recruits proves unsatisfactory.
Professor Adebooye, who described the personnel involved in the incident as unfit to serve in the Nigerian Army, called on the top echelon of the military and the federal government to summarily dismiss the officers after trial.
“This officer, this so-called combatant, is not fit to serve in the Nigerian Army. They are misfits. Our nation is growing day by day, and we should try to be civilised and change the way we think so that we can actually build a nation. If we don’t change the way we think, we cannot build a nation,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor warned that allowing the matter to be handled lightly would amount to a grave injustice and risk emboldening other military personnel deployed to other areas to repeat similar acts of impunity.
“If this is left to linger in the form of seeking some form of redress, it borders on social justice and would encourage impunity. Other army officers deployed to other areas may be emboldened to do the same,” he said.
He stressed that the civil society, student unions, labour unions, and the university itself would not accept an outcome that falls short of justice, vowing to pursue the matter through every available channel.
“If we are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation and the punitive measures that follow, we may seek an alternative option to deal with this matter in the interest of our nation, our people, the protection of students, and the general humanity of this country. It is a task that must be done, so that we can have a nation we can be proud of,” he added.
