I Was Dragged Like A Thief – OAU Student Assaulted By Lecturer Narrates, Management Reacts

On Thursday, November 9, Gift Mosobalaje, took to his social media pages to clear the air as to what actually transpired between him and Dr. K.F. Ariyo as seen in a video that went viral on Wednesday, November 7 as against what was discussed on @YourViewTVC that he was Dr. Ariyo student. According to him, he tried to call in to clear the air but couldn’t get through.

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Narrating what truly happened, Gift explained that he was supposed to have an 08:00am lecture in the same lecture theatre that was being used by the lecturer (Dr. Ariyo) in teaching some 400 level students. As soon as he got into the lecture room and found out that it wasn’t his class yet due to the unfamiliar faces he saw as he is a 200 level student, he made his stepped out immediately.

In the process of making his way out, a student from the class he had just exited came to inform him that the lecturer seeks his attention. As soon as he got back into the class, the lecturer accused him of ‘impersonation’. He initially took it as a joke not until he knew that the lecturer was serious with it.

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Gift tried to explain that he was not impersonating anyone but unfortunately found himself in the wrong class. However, the explanation fell on deaf ears of the lecturer who told him he was going to arrest him and take him to the school CSO. The lecturer thereby sent a student to call the security and while at that, he made asked as to why Gift’s hair was the way it is. Gift explained that it is his natural hair but the lecturer didn’t believe him as he stated that men do not normally have that kind of hair.

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Thereafter, Dr. Ariyo asked for his ID card which he presented immediately. While this was going on, the security man arrived and Dr. Ariyo handed over the ID card to the security and told him to take Gift away.

At that instance, Gift tried to reach his brother and mother via the phone in order to explain that he might not be reachable for a while. As such, Dr. Ariyo demanded that Gift switched off the phone and hand it over. Gift protested at this instance stating that he doesn’t know what his offense was.

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The security man began to drag Gift by the trousers and at an instance, Dr. Ariyo took it up himself, trying to forcefully collect Gift’s phone. This led to Gift being harassed and rough-handled as he was strangled by the neck with his back against the wall, got his index finger broken in the process. His phone’s screen was also broken and his trousers torn.

Afterwards, the security man pulled him by the trousers and Gift could not help but scream and ask, ‘Why are you dragging me like a thief’? 

Good morning @YourViewTVC i am the student that was assaulted, i was watching the show this morning and the story that was said wasn't the accurate story. I tried calling in to clear the air but i couldn't get through. What really happened was that I had an 8:00am class which was

— Your favourite dada boy (@GiftMosobalaje) November 9, 2023

OAU Management Reacts, Tender Apology Over Assault

In a release by the school management via its X (formerly Twitter) account, the institution states its displeasure in what happened. As such, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire has called for the setting up of a “fact-finding committee” to investigate and find out what ignited the occurrence.

The release further explains that the school is not in the character of tolerating any form of “abuse or maltreatment from anyone”. As such, the management apologized to the general public most especially to the alumni of the Institution who might have felt insulted by the by the happenstance.

Finally, the university authority also appealed to all students to remain calm and go about their normal activities. The management also assured all stakeholders that ‘justice will be served accordingly and appropriately’.