ENUGU: Authorities at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have firmly denied allegations circulating on social media that a female student was killed on campus and others kidnapped.
The claims originated from a video posted by popular human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who alleged that a 17-year-old student identified as Joy Eze had died in the institution.
He also suggested that the campus was plagued by insecurity, with students frequently targeted for abduction.
Reacting on Wednesday, the Acting Public Relations Officer of UNN, Dr. Okwun Omeaku, described the assertions as false, malicious, and misleading.
He stressed that the institution had not recorded any student deaths or kidnappings, contrary to what was being circulated online.
There is no truth whatsoever in the story being peddled. No student has been killed or kidnapped on any of our campuses. These are baseless rumours meant to cause unnecessary panic among students, parents, and the public, Omeaku stated.
The university further accused the activist of attempting to tarnish its reputation and demanded a public retraction and apology for the misleading publication.
According to UNN, its campuses remain safe, with adequate security measures in place to protect staff and students.
The university also expressed worry about the growing trend of misinformation on social media, noting that such unverified reports have the potential to spark fear, disrupt academic activities, and undermine the image of educational institutions.
Omeaku called on the public to verify sensitive information before sharing, especially when it concerns student safety and institutional security.
He urged parents and guardians to remain calm, assuring them that UNN continues to operate as a secure environment for learning
This development comes amid a national climate of heightened concern about campus safety, particularly in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions where insecurity, cult-related clashes, and off-campus crimes have occasionally made headlines.
However, UNN insists that the latest viral claim is unfounded and should not be associated with its environment.
The management also reassured its student community that classes and academic activities are ongoing without disruption.
