The management of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has introduced new restrictions on vehicular movement within the campus following the death of a 21-year-old student who was allegedly hit by a speeding vehicle.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, the Acting Registrar of the university, Dr. Idanyingi Daminabo, announced that undergraduate students will no longer be allowed to drive personal vehicles on campus between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
The decision follows the death of Eno Udoson, who was reportedly knocked down by a vehicle allegedly driven by a fellow undergraduate on Tuesday.
Dr. Daminabo expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased, describing the incident as tragic.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicate that two students—Darlington Onuaku of the Department of Development and Communication Studies and Obinna Ikechi of the Department of Computer Science—were involved in the incident.
“Both students have been arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.
He noted that although the university had previously introduced speed limits, speed bumps and disciplinary measures to regulate traffic on campus, the latest incident prompted the management to adopt stricter safety measures during an emergency meeting.
“Under the new directives, undergraduate students are prohibited from driving personal vehicles into campus between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m.,” Daminabo stated.
He explained that students bringing vehicles to school must now park them at the designated car park near the university’s main gate and make use of the institution’s authorised shuttle buses for movement within the campus.
The Acting Registrar added that postgraduate and Centre for Continuing Education students would only be permitted to drive on campus after presenting valid university identity cards.
“Ay student found engaging in reckless driving will face suspension, disciplinary proceedings and impoundment of the vehicle involved,” he warned.
He further disclosed that visiting hours to student hostels would now end by 6:00 p.m. daily, while the existing speed limits of 30 kilometres per hour on major roads and 20 kilometres per hour in residential areas remain in force.
According to him, the measures are aimed at preventing future accidents and ensuring the safety of students, staff and visitors.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the fatal accident.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the suspects were linked to the incident, which occurred along Road A within the university campus.
“Investigations are ongoing, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” Agabe said, adding that the deceased’s body had been deposited in a mortuary.
Also reacting, a relative of the deceased and lecturer at the university, Mr. Moore Mike-Ogburia, alleged that Udoson was returning to the staff quarters when two drivers, who were allegedly racing, collided and fatally struck her.
He called for the prosecution of those responsible, arguing that stricter enforcement of campus traffic regulations could have prevented the tragedy.
“The death of Eno could have been avoided if, in previous cases, offending vehicles had been impounded and the drivers arrested and prosecuted. Similar accidents occur almost every semester,” he said.
Mike-Ogburia urged the university authorities and relevant agencies to strengthen road safety enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.
