The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has issued an apology after a video of a male student being assaulted by one of its lecturers went viral on social media.
It is alleged that the 200-level student identified as Gift, dashed into a lecture room where the lecturer identified simply as Dr Ariyo, was conducting a class, mistaking it for his.
Upon realizing his mistake, he quickly attempted to exit the class but was called back by the lecturer. When he tried using his phone, the lecturer told him to turn it off and began assaulting him after he did not heed his warning.
According to the student, the lecturer had accused him of impersonation.
Apologizing to the public over the video, the management of the institution said in a statement:
“The attention of the authorities of OAU has been drawn to a video that has gone viral about a lecturer in the university who allegedly assaulted a part two student.
“Displeased with what he saw in the video, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Adebayo Bamire, has waded into the matter to set up a committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the whole scenario.
“What happened in the viral video is not in our character. We are a decent and diligent set of people who will not tolerate any form of abuse or maltreatment from anyone. We, therefore, apologise to the people, especially our alumni, whose sensibilities might have been assaulted by that shenanigan.
“We appeal to our students to remain calm and conduct their normal academic activities. We assure all stakeholders that justice will be served accordingly and appropriately.”
