The Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has banned undergraduate students from driving personal vehicles on campus between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m. following the death of a 21-year-old student in a tragic road accident.
The Acting Registrar, Dr. Idanyingi Daminabo, announced the directive on Friday while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt, describing the measure as part of urgent steps to improve safety on campus.
The decision comes days after Miss Eno Udoson was allegedly knocked down and killed by a speeding vehicle driven by an undergraduate on Tuesday.
Daminabo expressed the university’s condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased, saying preliminary investigations indicated that the crash involved two students; Darlington Onuaku of the Department of Development and Communication Studies and Obinna Ikechi of the Department of Computer Science.
He disclosed that both students had been arrested and handed over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.
According to the registrar, the university had previously introduced traffic control measures, including speed limits, speed bumps and sanctions for reckless driving, but the latest tragedy necessitated stricter regulations.
Following an emergency management meeting on Wednesday, the university resolved that undergraduate students would no longer be allowed to drive personal vehicles within the campus from 4 p.m. until 7 a.m.
Students bringing vehicles to campus must now park them at the designated car park near the main gate and rely on the university’s authorised shuttle buses for movement within the campus.
Daminabo added that postgraduate and Centre for Continuing Education students would only be permitted to drive on campus upon presenting valid university identity cards.
He warned that reckless driving would attract stiff sanctions, including suspension, disciplinary proceedings and impoundment of the offending vehicle.
The university also reviewed its security protocols, directing that visiting hours to student hostels must end by 6 p.m. daily.
He reiterated that the approved speed limit on campus remains 30 kilometres per hour on major roads and 20 kilometres per hour in residential areas.
“The measures are aimed at preventing a recurrence of such a tragedy and ensuring the safety of students, staff and visitors,” Daminabo said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with Udoson’s death.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the fatal crash occurred along Road A within the university campus, adding that the victim’s body had been deposited in a mortuary while investigations 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 RSU lecturer, Mr. Moore Mike-Ogburia, alleged that Udoson was walking back to the staff quarters when she was struck after two vehicles, reportedly driven by students racing each other, collided.
He urged security agencies to ensure those responsible are prosecuted, describing the incident as avoidable.
Mike-Ogburia lamented that similar accidents occur on the campus almost every semester, blaming weak enforcement of traffic regulations.
“The death of Eno could have been avoided if, in previous cases, offending vehicles had been impounded and the drivers arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
He called on the university and relevant authorities to strengthen traffic enforcement and road safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
Source: NAN
