The police in Osun State have arrested a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Soji Ezekiel, over alleged sexual assault on a student of the state’s university in Osogbo.
The Guardian learned that the student (name withheld) went to Ezekiel’s room, behind Nawarudeen Primary School, in the Oke-Baale area of Osogbo Local Council, to charge her mobile phone, following a power outage.
The corps member allegedly seized the occasion and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.
The student, who lives off-campus, had reportedly gone to Soji’s room with a friend on the night of Friday, February 16, 2024. The friend was said to have immediately left the room, after she plugged her own phone, to attend to other matters. Later, the student was reportedly heard screaming, as Soji, also known as SOJ, allegedly abused her twice.
The corps member was said to be observing the mandatory NYSC scheme in Ilorin, Kwara State, but often visited Osogbo whenever he was on break.
He allegedly threatened to kill the student if she failed to allow him to have his way.
It was further learnt that the suspect refused to open his door, even when neighbours banged on it repeatedly, trying to rescue the undergraduate.
According to an eyewitness, it was only after a vigilante in the area came to Soji’s apartment with a gun and shot into the air that the suspect opened the door and freed the student in the wee hours of Saturday, February 17.
He was later arrested by police officers, who arrived at the scene.
A source said some residents notified a human rights activist, Citizen Lola Wey, who took the matter up and brought it to the attention of the state government.
“The victim has been taken to the hospital for necessary medical examination and treatment. The police are already involved and they have arrested the suspect. I heard they granted him bail. But we will assist the victim in getting justice because she was highly traumatised by the incident,” Wey said.
When contacted via telephone, Soji neither admitted nor denied the incident. He said the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) was on the matter.
He said: “The case is already with the SCID, and we are on it. I met with their lawyer (victim’s lawyer) and we went to the hospital for a medical test. The police were there. So, now, I don’t think I have anything to say unless we are with the police. The police are doing their job.”
