The Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, has expelled two female students for bullying a colleague in a viral video. The university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Temitope Akinbisoye, announced the expulsion in a statement on Tuesday.
“The university authorities condemn in strong terms any form of violence or misconduct in our university or by any of our constituents. Such behavior is entirely inconsistent with the values we uphold and the standards of respect and dignity that we expect from all members of our university,” Akinbisoye said.
A video had gone viral earlier on showing Miss Opemiposi Precious Bolaji, an 18-year-old Mass Communication student, beating her colleague, Miss Gloria Ajayi, also a Mass Communication student, in a private hostel outside the university campus.
The Students’ Disciplinary Committee found Bolaji guilty of misconduct and breach of her matriculation oath and expelled her. Her accomplice, Osaro, who provided the stick used in the beating, was also expelled. “Having considered the report and recommendations of the SDC, the university authorities have expelled Bolaji, who was beating her colleague with a stick and threatening to inflict bodily harm on her, having found her guilty of misconduct and flagrant breach of her matriculation oath,” Akinbisoye explained.
Two other students, Mistura Adejuwon and Precious Olanrewaju, who recorded and posted the video on social media, were warned and advised to report such incidents to the university authorities instead of escalating them on social media. “We advise them to always report such incidents to the Directorate of Students’ Affairs and the Security Unit of the University rather than escalating it on social media,” Akinbisoye said.
A male student, Olawale Ajewole, who tried to intervene and prevent further beating, was exonerated. “The committee and the university authorities exonerated Miss Ajayi, who was seen being beaten in the viral video but did not retaliate or engage in fisticuffs with her tormentors,” Akinbisoye added.
The Nigeria Police Force has also begun an investigation into the incident, stating that it will “find out and prove the matter.”
