The management of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has banned undergraduate students from driving personal vehicles on campus during evening hours.
The Acting Registrar of the university, Idanyingi Daminabo, announced the measure while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, on Friday.
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Mr Daminabo said the decision followed the death of a 21-year-old female student, Eno Udoson, who was allegedly struck by a speeding vehicle driven by an undergraduate on campus on Tuesday.
He expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased student.
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According to him, preliminary findings indicated that the accident involved two students, Darlington Onuaku of the Department of Development and Communication Studies and Obinna Ikechi of the Department of Computer Science.
“Both students have been arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.
Mr Daminabo noted that the university had previously introduced measures to regulate vehicular movement on campus, including speed limits, speed bumps and sanctions for reckless driving.
He said the university management convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday and adopted additional measures to enhance safety and security.
“Under the new directives, undergraduate students are prohibited from driving personal vehicles into campus between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m.,” he said.
The registrar stated that students who bring vehicles to the university would now be required to park them at the designated car park near the main gate.
He added that affected students should make use of the university’s authorised shuttle services for movement within the campus.
Mr Daminabo also announced that postgraduate and Centre for Continuing Education students would only be permitted to drive personal vehicles on campus upon presentation of valid university identity cards.
He warned that any student found engaging in reckless driving would face disciplinary action.
“Any student found engaging in reckless driving will face suspension, disciplinary proceedings and impoundment of the vehicle involved,” he said.
The registrar further disclosed that visiting hours to student hostels would now end at 6 p.m. daily as part of measures to strengthen campus security.
He reiterated that the approved speed limit within the university remained 30 kilometres per hour on major roads and 20 kilometres per hour in residential areas.
Mr Daminabo said the new measures were aimed at preventing a recurrence of such tragedy and ensuring the safety of students, staff and visitors.
Police confirm arrest of suspects
Meanwhile, the police command in Rivers has confirmed the arrest of two persons in connection with the death of Ms Udoson.
The command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, an assistant superintendent of police, confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspects were linked to the fatal accident.
According to her, the victim’s body has been deposited in a mortuary while investigations into the incident continue.
“Investigations are ongoing, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
Reacting to the incident, a relative of the deceased and lecturer at the university, Moore Mike-Ogburia, said Ms Udoson was returning to the staff quarters when the accident occurred.
He claimed that two drivers, who were allegedly doing car racing, collided and fatally struck the student.
Mr Mike-Ogburia called on law enforcement authorities to ensure that those responsible for the tragedy were prosecuted.
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He described the drivers as reckless and maintained that the accident could have been prevented through stricter enforcement of traffic regulations on campus.
According to him, similar accidents have occurred in the university in the past, warranting stronger sanctions against traffic offenders.
“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.
The lecturer urged the university authorities and relevant agencies to strengthen road safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
(NAN)
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