A friend of the 400 level student of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Salaudeen Waliyu, aka Captain Walz has narrated why he attacked his lecturer, Mrs Rahmat Zakariyah.

He said Waliyu didn’t observe the compulsory Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) after he was illegally arrested in Lagos for two months and sought the help of Zakariyah for a waiver, but she insisted he would have to wait till next year.

The friend alleged that the lecturer first threw a mug at Waliyu before she was assaulted.

He said, “Waliyu went to Lagos to see a friend. Pressed and wanting to ease himself (pee), he found a parked vehicle and did as we all would do. In the process, he was caught by someone who accused him of loitering around to steal.

“At the shout of thief, Waliyu was thoroughly beaten by a mob before he was handed over to the police. He spent 2 months in the police net.

“Upon his release, he went back to school. Having spent 2 months in a police cell instead of undergoing his SIWES programme which is a prerequisite for graduation, he approached his SIWES supervisor for a waiver but the female supervisor insisted he had to wait till next year.

“Waiting for the next batch of SIWES would guarantee his extra year in school. He kept begging, but to no avail. While pleading with her the last time before the incident, the conversation became heated, the supervisor stoned Waliyu with a mug and Waliyu assaulted her.

“This story is unfortunate. Waliyu deserved to be punished for acting without ethics. His supervisor deserves our collective apologies for the errors of Waliyu.

“However, we need to pay attention to the mental health of our students, friends and neighbours. As a matter of urgency, there is a need to redefine our justice system to not bring out the worst in us in a bid to punish our wrongs.”