Former soldier Ruth Ogunleye, known for accusing military officers of sexual harassment, has reportedly been arrested and moved to Kaduna.
A former Nigerian army soldier named Ruth Ogunleye, who made headlines by publicly accusing senior military officers of sexual harassment and stating that top leaders ignored her complaints, has reportedly been arrested.
She was taken away from Lagos State and transferred to Kaduna State, where she is currently being held in custody while waiting for further legal action or trial.
The exact reasons behind her reported arrest, the specific charges brought against her, and the full details of who ordered the action remain unclear.
However, sources familiar with the development shared details regarding her sudden movement.
As reported by online news platforms, a source close to the matter stated:
“Ruth Ogunleye has been arrested on the orders of the Minister of Defence, CG Musa. She has been moved from Lagos to Abuja prison, where she is awaiting trial.”
Ruth Ogunleye first became widely known when she came forward with serious public complaints. She accused a senior officer, Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.
She also stated that other senior military commanders failed to protect her or take action when she officially reported the officer’s bad conduct to them.
Among the high-ranking officials she blamed for ignoring her complaints was General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who served as the Chief of Defence Staff at the time and is now Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.
In an interview she granted in September 2024, Ogunleye explained that she tried her best to seek help from the highest levels of the military leadership but got no support.
During that interview, she said:
“I sought intervention from people like General C. G. Musa, the current Chief of Defence Staff. I told him. I told so many officers. I sought redress but nothing was done because he is my senior, and nobody was ready to give me a listening ear.”
She also claimed that she followed all official military rules and channels, including using Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, to look for justice, but her formal complaints were ignored.
Back in January 2024, she had also accused other high-ranking officers, including Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, of bullying, intimidation, and mistreatment after she turned down unwanted sexual advances from a senior official.
Following her public complaints, the Nigerian Army carried out an internal investigation into her claims. Afterward, the military announced that it found no proof to support her allegations of sexual harassment against the accused colonel.
The army also stated that she was officially discharged from military service on medical grounds after going through proper medical evaluations by doctors.
In October 2024, Ogunleye spoke out again, asking authorities to review her case. She stated her belief that someone might have changed or interfered with the findings of the original investigation.
She also expressed worry about how the public talk surrounding the case could damage her good name and personal reputation.
Up to this point, military spokespersons have not yet provided official comments explaining the exact legal reasons for her recent arrest and transfer.
Reporters tried to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Colonel Appolonia Anele, by phone and text messages to ask for clarification on her current legal standing and the authorities handling her transfer, but there was no immediate response.
Human rights advocates and concerned citizens are closely watching the situation as family members and supporters call for transparency and fair treatment regarding her safety and legal rights while in custody.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
