UNILORIN VC reacts as student ‘beats lecturer to coma’

A female lecturer of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) identified as Zakariyyah has been allegedly assaulted by a student.

Kunle Akogun, the UNILORIN director of corporate affairs, who confirmed this to TheCable Lifestyle on Monday, said the lecturer is from the department of microbiology.

Reports had earlier claimed that Zakariyyah was beaten to coma in her office on Thursday by the 400 level student of the institution identified as Captain Walz.

While details of the incident are still sketchy, it was also gathered that Waiz had sought the help of the lecturer, who is his project supervisor, because he did not observe the compulsory students’ industrial work scheme (SIWES).

Akogun, who confirmed that the student had been arrested, said an investigation is still ongoing on the case.

“The boy has been arrested and is being questioned at our security post before he would eventually be transferred to the police. It is likely that he will also face stringent sanctions before the disciplinary committee,” he said.

Reacting in a statement, Sulyman Abdulkareem, the vice-chancellor (VC) of the varsity, said the assault victim is recuperating at an undisclosed hospital.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, Abdulkareem assured that justice would be done on the matter.

He also ordered proper care of the victim on the bill of the university and reiterated his commitment to the welfare of all staff and law-abiding students of the institution.

“This is to confirm that Mrs Zakariyyah is now relatively stable and recuperating after the ugly incident of Thursday where she was attacked by a 400L male student,” the statement read.

“A visit by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman AbdulKareem in the company of the Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Oladiji; the Director, University Health Services, Dr. Odunola and a few other staff to the victim and her family this morning, Saturday, 13th November 2021 confirmed that.