Nassarawa university lecturer assaults students, varsity reacts

The Federal University of Lafia, located in Nasarawa State, has distanced itself from Dr. Fred Ayokai, a lecturer there, who was purportedly seen in a viral video abusing a woman named Blessing Mathias.

The university called the lecturer's behaviour "unpardonable and shameful" in a statement released on Monday and signed by Abubakar Ibrahim, Head of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, adding that the university does not support behaviour that subverts its core values.

Reports of a young girl named Blessing Mathias being physically assaulted by Dr. Fred Ekpe Ayokhai, a lecturer at the Federal University of History and International Studies in Lafia, came to the notice of the university's administration on Monday, October 24.

“The reports revealed that the daughter of Dr.Ayokhai, who had, earlier, quarrelled with Blessing, who is not a student of FULafia, stated that Dr. Ayokhai, along with his daughter and some persons believed to be his family members, allegedly, later combined to assault Blessing.

“The unfortunate happenings occurred when the university is not in session, with plans underway to reopen for academic activities on November 7, 2022.

“Dr Ayokhai, though a staff of FULafia, the Management of the University wishes to, categorically, dissociate itself and the university from the unpardonable, shameful and condemnable actions of Dr Ayokhai. FULafia, with Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman as its Vice-Chancellor, is proud and reputed for observance of its core values, namely, integrity, innovation and discipline, through which its actions are conceived, tailored and anchored,” the statement partly read.

The Nasarawa State Police Command launched inquiries into the crime and subsequently detained two people who were connected to the assault, according to The PUNCH's story on Saturday. The institution added that it was awaiting the findings of its inquiries into the incident.

“The university will not, therefore, condone actions that seemingly or otherwise contradict its core values, irrespective of who the perpetrators of such actions should be.

“Consequently, the university, eagerly, awaits conclusion of investigations on this matter, which must be carried out to their logical conclusion, to take the next line of action.

“It is pertinent to state that the university has laid down rules, procedures and regulations on how to deal with its staff whose behaviours are found to have fouled the laws and rules that govern their conducts.

“Therefore, the university wishes to assure the people that the unfortunate action exhibited by Dr Ayokhai does not represent, in the least, what should be expected from any member of staff of the university and his action is condemned in very strong terms by the university.

“Although, measures are already in place to guarantee the good conduct of the staff of FULafia, such measures would be strengthened and reinforced to forestall any future occurrences of the type of dismissive and appalling behaviours exhibited by Dr Ayokhai,” the statement added.

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