A tense confrontation unfolded at the Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, when a female student allegedly attacked and bit a lecturer, Dr. Chukwudi Michael Okoye of the Department of Theatre Arts, during a dispute over a dance video recording.
According to eyewitnesses, the student was filming a dance video for TikTok in a faculty corridor when Dr. Okoye attempted to pass by.
“The lecturer tapped her on the shoulder and said, ‘Excuse me,’ as he moved past. However, she became visibly upset and accused him of hitting her,” a witness recounted.
The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical altercation, with the student aggressively grabbing the lecturer’s clothes as bystanders attempted to intervene. A viral video of the incident circulating on social media captured the student visibly upset and insisting she had been struck.
Another clip showed Dr. Okoye raising his hands defensively while the student continued holding onto him.
UNIZIK’s Chief Security Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the incident and stated that an internal investigation was underway.
“Yes, such an incident occurred. Investigations are ongoing, and the university will release an official statement once findings are concluded,” Chukwurah said.
He further explained that Dr. Okoye claimed he overheard the student making derogatory remarks about him after he passed by. He reportedly returned to confirm if she was his student and reached for her phone, suspecting he had been recorded without consent. When he demanded the video be deleted, the student allegedly reacted by biting him on both arms.
Images circulating online reveal visible bite marks on the lecturer’s arms.
Reports suggest that the student is a 300-level History and International Studies major and the daughter of a lecturer in the university.
The girl has also put her own version of the incident on X.
As the investigation continues, the incident has sparked widespread discussions among students and faculty members, with divided opinions on the matter.
