Benue varsity student arrested after allegedly pouring hot water on colleague

Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University (MOAUM), formerly known as Benue State University

Benue varsity student arrested after allegedly pouring hot water on colleague

The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 500-level student of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University (MOAUM), formerly known as Benue State University, following an alleged hot-water attack on a 200-level colleague after a disagreement.

The incident occurred on Friday, August 28, 2026, at a residence in Makurdi, where the two students were reportedly living together.

The victim, identified as Rose Adikwu, is a 200-level Political Science student of the university, while the suspect was identified as Agbo Felicia, a 500-level Chemistry student.

Police spokesperson in Benue State, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident on Saturday and said the suspect had been arrested while an investigation was underway to determine what triggered the confrontation.

Aondongu said preliminary information indicated that both students were staying in the same room before a disagreement reportedly escalated.

“Yes, it happened yesterday, Friday, August 28, 2026,” the police spokesman said.

He explained that the suspect allegedly boiled water, added salt and pepper and poured the mixture on the victim before allegedly locking her inside the room.

According to the police account, people later became aware of the incident and intervened, rescuing the victim before taking her to a hospital for treatment.

The suspect was subsequently arrested.

Aondongu said investigators were still working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the dispute.

“I don’t have much information yet about the genesis of the disagreement or what led to the incident, but I can confirm that the incident happened,” he said.

The police spokesman also confirmed that both women are students of the university.

Further details emerged after members of the Students’ Union visited the injured student at the hospital.

The Students’ Union President, Akighirga Vitalis, led members of his executive to the hospital following the incident.

According to the union, Rose told its representatives that she and Felicia had been living together but had experienced disagreements over personal matters before the situation escalated.

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The victim reportedly said the relationship between the two students had become strained following repeated disagreements.

According to the account presented to the Students’ Union, the dispute eventually resulted in Felicia leaving the shared residence and subsequently returning with a hot mixture.

Rose allegedly told the union that Felicia boiled water and mixed it with ingredients before pouring the mixture over her.

She further alleged that she was locked inside the room after the incident and that her cries for help eventually attracted the attention of neighbours, who intervened and rescued her.

The victim was taken to a private hospital in Makurdi, where she is receiving treatment for injuries reportedly sustained during the alleged attack.

The Students’ Union expressed concern over the condition of the student and condemned the alleged assault.

Vitalis described the incident as a “grave and unacceptable assault on the life and well-being of a fellow student.”

“We are deeply concerned about this incident. The Students’ Union will follow this matter closely until justice prevails,” he said.

The union president said the organisation would engage the relevant authorities and monitor the police investigation as it progresses.

He also said the Students’ Union would follow any disciplinary process that may be initiated by the university.

Vitalis stated that if the allegations against Felicia are established through due process, the union would support the application of appropriate sanctions under the university’s regulations.

He said such sanctions could include expulsion if the circumstances and university rules warranted it.

“The Students’ Union will not condone violence or any conduct capable of endangering the life of another student,” Vitalis said.

The incident has raised concerns within the Benue university community over student safety, interpersonal disputes and the need for students to have effective mechanisms for resolving conflicts before they escalate into violence.

Roommate disputes can become particularly difficult when students share living spaces outside the university environment, making early intervention by student representatives, university authorities, families or security agencies important where conflicts become threatening.

In this case, however, the exact cause of the disagreement remains unclear.

The police have not announced any conclusion regarding what triggered the alleged attack, and the allegations against the suspect have not been tested in court.

The investigation is expected to establish what happened before, during and after the alleged assault and determine the appropriate legal action.

The suspect remains in police custody as the investigation continues, while the injured student remains under medical care.

The university community is now awaiting the outcome of the police investigation and any disciplinary proceedings that may follow.

The case is also likely to renew discussions around student welfare and safety in Nigerian universities, particularly the importance of accessible conflict-resolution channels and prompt intervention when disputes between students become serious.

For now, authorities are expected to allow the investigation to run its course while ensuring that both the victim and suspect receive due process.