Lagbaja Taoreed, Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, has warned officers from making any public comment on the female solider who raised the alarm on sexual harassment and attempted rape by three senior officials in a TikTok video.

Earlier in January, Peoples Gazette reported how a female soldier, Ruth Ogunleye, in a viral video, alleged that Col I.B Abdulkareem sexually harassed and attempted to rape her.

Mr Taoreed, in an internal memo by Brigadier General PO Alimikhena, dated January 29, published by Sahara Reporters on Wednesday, barred officials from commenting on Ms Ogunleye’s case while investigations are ongoing. 

Citing Ms Ogunleye’s allegations, Mr Taoreed directed “that no further official comments on the subject should be made pending the outcome of HQ NACMP investigation.”

He added that “commanders at all levels are to please caution personnel under command to desist from making official comments on the allegations raised by the soldier.”

Before now, in a statement, Army spokesperson Onyeama Nwachukwu said the army would investigate the allegations but blamed the soldier for not exhausting internal procedures to seek redress. 

 “The Nigerian Army has been inundated with audiovisuals making the rounds on social media of the unprofessional conduct of a female soldier in mufti, who claimed to have been maltreated by some senior officers. 

“It is instructive to state that considering the gravity of the allegations, NA as a disciplined force will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter,” Mr Nwachukwu said.