By Deborah Nnamdi
A young woman, identified as Eno Udosen, has died after she was struck by a vehicle during a crash on the campus of Rivers State University (RSU) in Port Harcourt.
The university, in a statement issued by its Acting Registrar, Dr. Idanyingi I. Daminabo, confirmed that the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.
RSU said preliminary findings showed that the accident resulted from the reckless driving of two students, identified as Darlington Kosi Onuaku of the Department of Development and Communication Studies and Obinna Daniel Ikechi of the Department of Computer Science.
According to the university, the two students have been arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the two drivers were racing along Road A inside the campus when one vehicle collided with the other, causing it to veer off the road, crash into a fence and hit the victim, who reportedly worked at the university canteen. She sustained fatal injuries after striking her head on the ground.
Witnesses said the drivers initially fled the scene, although one of the vehicles was abandoned before security personnel and police officers cordoned off the area. Operatives of the Nkpolu Police Division later arrested the suspects.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the arrests, stating that the victim’s body had been recovered and deposited in a mortuary while investigations continue.
Some students of the institution said reckless driving and illegal car racing had become common on the campus, especially during the evenings, raising concerns over the safety of residents.
Following the incident, the university announced a series of new measures aimed at improving safety on campus. Undergraduate students are now prohibited from driving personal vehicles within the campus between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Those bringing vehicles to school must park at the designated car park near the main entrance and use the university’s shuttle service.
The management also directed that postgraduate and Centre for Continuing Education students must present valid university identity cards before driving on campus. It warned that any student found driving recklessly would face suspension, disciplinary action and the impoundment of their vehicle.
In addition, visiting hours at university hostels will now end at 6:00 p.m. daily, while the approved speed limit has been fixed at 30km/h on major roads and 20km/h in residential areas.
The university said the new directives were part of efforts to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy and ensure the safety of members of the campus community.
