The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has introduced new restrictions on vehicle movement within its campus following the death of a 21-year-old undergraduate who was allegedly hit by a speeding car driven by another student.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, the Acting Registrar, Dr Idanyingi Daminabo, announced that undergraduate students would no longer be permitted to drive their personal vehicles on campus between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The directive comes in the wake of the death of Eno Udoson, who was reportedly knocked down by a vehicle on the university premises on Tuesday.
Daminabo extended the institution’s condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, and colleagues.
According to the acting registrar, initial investigations identified two students as being involved in the incident. They are 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.
Daminabo explained that although the university had already implemented traffic control measures such as speed limits, speed bumps, and sanctions for offenders, the management approved additional safety policies during an emergency meeting held on Wednesday.
“Under the new directives, undergraduate students are prohibited from driving personal vehicles into campus between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m.,” he said.
He further stated that undergraduates who bring vehicles to the university would be required to park them at the designated car park near the institution’s main gate before using the university’s approved shuttle buses to move around campus.
He also disclosed that postgraduate students and those enrolled at the Centre for Continuing Education would only be allowed to drive on campus after presenting valid university identity cards.
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“Any student found engaging in reckless driving will face suspension, disciplinary proceedings and impoundment of the vehicle involved,” he warned.
In addition, Daminabo announced that visitors would only be allowed into student hostels until 6 p.m. daily. He reiterated that the existing speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour on major roads and 20 kilometres per hour in residential sections of the campus remains in force.
He said the measures were designed to improve safety and prevent similar incidents involving students, staff, and visitors.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed that two suspects had been taken into custody over the fatal accident.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the suspects were connected to the crash, which occurred along Road A inside the university.
According to her, the deceased’s remains have been deposited in a mortuary as police continue their investigation.
“Investigations are ongoing, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
Also reacting, a lecturer at the university and relative of the deceased, Mr Moore Mike-Ogburia, alleged that Udoson was walking back to the staff quarters when two drivers, who were allegedly racing, crashed into each other before fatally hitting her.
He urged authorities to ensure those responsible are prosecuted, describing the drivers’ actions as reckless. He also maintained that stricter enforcement of existing traffic rules 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 further appealed to the university management and relevant authorities to strengthen road safety enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.