Tragedy struck at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, after a young woman identified as Eno was fatally knocked down by a vehicle travelling in a convoy within the university premises.
The incident, which sparked panic among students and staff, occurred along one of the roads inside the institution, with eyewitnesses alleging that the vehicles involved were being driven by students.
Although the identity and status of the deceased within the university community could not be immediately established yesterday, sources said the victim died from injuries sustained after being struck by one of the vehicles moving as part of a convoy.
Witnesses disclosed that confusion erupted immediately after the accident, with some members of the convoy reportedly fleeing the scene upon realizing the gravity of the incident.
The development prompted a swift security response, as university authorities and the police moved quickly to prevent the suspects from escaping.
Sources within the institution said all exit points leading out of the campus were immediately shut down after security personnel received reports of the fatal accident.
The coordinated operation by the university’s internal security unit and officers from the Nkpolu Divisional Police Headquarters led to the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked to the incident.
The suspects, identified as Onunaka K. and Daniel Ikechi, were reportedly driving a Toyota Camry Spider and a Mercedes-Benz E300, respectively at the time of the incident.
Police sources disclosed that both suspects are currently being held at the Nkpolu Divisional Police Headquarters in Mile 3, Diobu, while investigators work to determine the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.
The body of the deceased has since been evacuated from the scene and deposited in a mortuary pending further investigation and identification by relatives.
The incident has generated widespread concern within the university community, with students calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and safer driving practices on campus.
When contacted, the university’s spokesperson, Victor Banigo, confirmed that management was aware of the incident and said an official statement would be issued after preliminary investigations.
The Rivers State Police Command also confirmed the development, with the spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosing that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.
“Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while the corpse has been retrieved and deposited in the mortuary,” she said.
The spokesperson added that investigations were ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the accident and determine the level of culpability of those involved.