‘It’s a shameful act’ — FULafia dissociates self from lecturer who assaulted lady in viral video

The Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) has reacted to the viral video of Fred Ayokhai, its staff, assaulting Blessing Mathias, a female student.

Ayokhai has been at the receiving end of heated backlash after he was seen ripping off the singlet of Mathias with scissors.

The police also arrested him and Emmanuella, his daughter, who is believed to have orchestrated the attack on Mathias for allegedly snatching her lover.

Reacting to the incident in a statement by Abubakar Ibrahim, its spokesperson, the varsity condemned Ayokhai’s actions.

The institution also distanced itself from the “shameful and condemnable actions” of the lecturer, saying it was against its core values.

“Reports on the physical assault of a young girl, named Blessing Mathias, allegedly by Dr. Fred Ekpe Ayokhai, a lecturer in the History and International Studies Federal University of Lafia, have, on Monday, October 24, officially reached the attention of management of the university,” the statement reads.

“The reports revealed that the daughter of Dr.Ayokhai, who had, earlier, quarreled 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 institution said it has commenced investigation into the matter, adding that appropriate sanction would be meted out on the lecturer after its probe.

“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,” the statement adds.