The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the attack of a female lecturer of Faculty of Life Sciences, Rahmat Zakariyyah, by a student.

“It is not just because the lecturer is a female but because she is a human being and violence is never tolerated in ASUU, more or less in a university where character and learning are the essence,” stated Moyosore Ajao, ASUU’s chair in Kwara on Monday in Ilorin. “ASUU is patiently waiting on what the university management is going to do before we now apply our action.”

He added, “But I can tell you that the union is not sleeping on the matter. We are never going to allow such matters to be swept under the carpet,” he stated.

A 400-level student of the Department of Microbiology, identified as Salaudeen Waliyu, aka Captain Walz, allegedly beat the lecturer to a coma.

The student was alleged to have attacked the lecturer in her office because she refused to help him over his failure to do the mandatory Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

Reacting to the development, Mr Ajao said the union would never allow the “dastardly act to go unaddressed.”

The ASUU chairman explained that the matter of the assault has already been reported to the law enforcement agencies.

On speculation whether the student was under the influence of drugs, Mr Ajao reasoned that in every 12, there would always be a Judas. He added that though the institution’s students are largely well behaved, there are bound to be uncouth elements around.

Speaking further, he said, “The university must demonstrate the capacity to deal with such an act. Apart from that, they must ensure that such a thing never happens again. You can’t have a student population of over 50,000, and you expect all of them to be disciplined.”

“Whether under the influence of drugs or whatever is immaterial to ASUU. If he is under the influence of drugs, he left his house. Are you telling me he did not see anybody? Why did he choose to attack that particular lecturer?” Mr Ajao argued.

The ASUU chairman said the union would also petition the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to look at the possibility of drug usage in the incidence of the attack.

He maintained that the union would continue to be proactive by protecting its members, adding that an injury to one is an injury to all. 

(NAN)