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Decision to expel bully students final — BOUESTI VC

The Vice Chancellor of Bamidele Olumiluwa University of Education Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti (BOUESTI), Professor Bamidele Olumiluwa, has affirmed that the decision to expel two out of the five students implicated in the viral bullying video is final.

In an interview with Channels Television correspondents in Ikere, Ekiti, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Veronica Makinde, emphasised that the institution’s decision regarding the expulsion of the two students cannot be swayed by parental pressure.

The recent viral video depicting female students bullying a fellow student prompted the institution to take action, resulting in the expulsion of two students, the exoneration of two others, and a warning issued to one.

Dr Makinde reiterated that the safety and security of all students remain a top priority for the university.

The disturbing footage circulating on social media showcased a female undergraduate viciously attacking another with a stick, despite pleas for mercy.

The assailant’s callous remark, “Let me draw blood from you easily or hardly,” added to the shock and outrage sparked by the incident.

According to witness Ajayi Precious Gloria, who recorded the video, the victim and the assailant, identified as a “very popular” Mass Communication student, were purportedly friends, as indicated by the video’s commentary.

In response to the incident, BOUESTI Public Relations Officer Temitope Akinbisoye clarified that the video depicted “One Miss Opemiposi Precious Bolaji, an 18-year-old 100L Mass Communication student, beating her colleague identified as Miss Gloria Ajayi, a 100L Mass Communication student, in a private hostel outside the university campus.”

“The university authorities condemn, in strong terms, any form of violence or misconduct in our university or by any of our constituents. Such behaviour is entirely inconsistent with the values we uphold and the standards of respect and dignity that we expect from all members of our university.

“In accordance with our institution’s policies and extant regulations, the affected students appeared before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its emergency meeting held on Monday, May 6, 2024.”

He said that, having considered the report and recommendations of the SDC, the university authorities had 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.”

This was as the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Adeniran Akinwale, also said he had ordered an investigation into the bullying incident involving students of the school in the viral video.

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