By Cynthia Johnson
The death of a female student from the University of Port Harcourt is under investigation by the Rivers State Police Command.
The student simply identified as Adaeze, was reportedly a 200-level undergraduate studying Accounting.
QUEST TIMES learned that Adaeze was found dead in her off-campus residence in Aluu, a community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state. She was discovered on Monday afternoon, and the cause of her death is still unknown.
The Dean of Student Affairs at UNIPORT, Prof. Chima Wokocha speaking with newsmen, confirmed that the student’s body was found in her residence.
He said that neighbours brought her to a health facility in the school, but she was pronounced dead on arrival.
“She didn’t die in the university hostel. She died in her off-campus residence in Aluu and the scene of the crime was visited by the university management, including myself.”
Wokocha stated that a bottle of a harmful substance was found beside Adaeze’s body, but it is unclear whether she consumed it or if it was used against her.
“The police were also present. We acknowledge that she had consumed a substance and passed out because a bottle of that substance was found beside her.”
The police are also investigating the possibility of foul play. The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
Iringe-Koko said that the police are looking into all possible leads, including the possibility of suicide, homicide, and accidental death.
“The Divisional Police Officer received a report from a landlord who found his tenant on the ground.
“So, the DPO went there and saw foam coming out from her nose and mouth. They also found a bottle of sniper near her.”
The parents of the deceased student have been informed, and they are making arrangements to claim the body.
This incident comes just two weeks after the decomposing body of a 300-level undergraduate student of Biochemistry, Justina Otuene, was discovered in the residence of her ex-lover Damian Okoligwe along NTA Road, Ozuoba in Obio/Akpor LGA.
Okoligwe, a 400-level student of Petrochemical Engineering at the same university, has been arrested by the police.
The deaths of these two students have raised concerns about the safety of students in Port Harcourt. The police are urging anyone with information about Adaeze’s death to contact them immediately.