‘Sleep With Me Or I’ll Make Your Life Hell’: Ex-Nigerian Army Nurse Alleges Sexual Harassment, Torture By Senior Officers

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Emmynet24 News reports that a former Nigerian Army corporal, Matilda Anighoro, has accused senior military officers of sexual harassment, torture, unlawful detention, and intimidation, claiming she was forced out of service after rejecting alleged sexual advances.

Anighoro, who served as a nurse with the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, said her ordeal began at the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, where she was posted.

In a petition to the Special Investigation Bureau, she accused a senior officer, S.O. Okoigi, of persistently demanding a sexual relationship and allegedly punishing her after she refused.

“I was sexually harassed and ill-treated, that is why I resigned,” she said, adding that her resignation took about 10 months to be approved amid what she described as intense pressure.

According to her, repeated refusals led to escalating actions, including alleged threats, punitive postings, and coordinated pressure from other officers.

“General Okoigi requested to have a sexual relationship with me, which I turned down several times. This made him use other officers to try to pressure me until it began to turn to punishment and a witch-hunt,” she alleged.

Anighoro further claimed she was threatened with deployment to the North-East and denied access to senior authorities when she sought intervention.

She also alleged that she was subjected to humiliation, detention, and harsh treatment, including being held in a guardroom for over two weeks and made to carry out labour under strict conditions.

“I was marched to the guardroom for 14 days… I was locked in a single-man room and instructed not to be allowed out,” she said, adding that she was also subjected to degrading treatment during detention.

The former corporal further alleged that her rank was stripped and that she faced continued punishment, including physical assault by another officer during a disciplinary exercise.

She claimed the alleged harassment was directly linked to her refusal to comply with the sexual demands.

Anighoro also alleged attempts to alter her military records after her voluntary discharge was approved in September 2024, claiming efforts were made to downgrade her rank from Corporal to Private.

In addition, she said she has been unable to access her entitlements, including gratuity and pension, since leaving the service.

Reacting to the allegations, General Okoigi denied any wrongdoing, insisting he never made sexual advances toward Anighoro.

He stated that his only interaction with her was during an official interview and described her as a soldier with disciplinary issues.

“I never knew her. The only time I saw her was during an interview. If she passes me on the road, I won’t recognise her,” he said.

Okoigi admitted he was aware she had been placed in the guardroom over alleged misconduct, including claims that she abandoned duty, but denied any involvement in harassment.

He further alleged that Anighoro was investigated for misconduct and accused her of making false claims, adding that he had reported the matter to military authorities for further action.

However, Anighoro insisted she honoured an invitation to Abuja to submit her statement and denied evading any investigation.

Now out of the military, she is appealing for intervention from relevant authorities and the public to secure justice and recover her entitlements.

“Please help me, so I can be allowed to document as a corporal and receive my entitlement,” she pleaded.

The case has sparked concerns over accountability and the need for stronger safeguards within the military system to address allegations of abuse and ensure proper investigation of complaints.