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.

Benue varsity student arrested after allegedly pouring hot water on colleague

Anambra Police Arrest 28-Year-Old Suspected Drug Dealer, Recover ₦5.8m Illicit Consignment

Intelligence-led patrol along Nteje–Otuocha Road leads to seizure of Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine, and Colorado

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old suspected drug dealer, Chinedu Nwankwo, and recovered a large consignment of illicit substances valued at approximately ₦5.8 million. The arrest was carried out in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, 2026, by operatives of the Rapid Response Team during an intelligence-driven patrol along the Nteje–Otuocha Road in Anambra East Local Government Area. The police recovered a significant quantity of substances believed to be Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine, and Colorado (popularly known as Colos) from the suspect, marking one of the significant drug seizures in the state in recent weeks.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Nwankwo was allegedly transporting the illicit substances to several communities—Otuocha, Anyamelium, Nzam, Umuleri, and Aguleri—for delivery to suspected criminal elements operating in these areas. The police are also examining whether the consignment is linked to activities that could disrupt the ongoing Local Government Council elections in Anambra State, which took place on the same day as the arrest. The police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that investigators are probing the alleged connection between the drug consignments and activities capable of undermining the electoral process, raising concerns about the potential use of illicit substances to fund or facilitate election-related violence and malpractice.

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The suspect and the recovered exhibits are currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of his activities and identify other individuals who may be connected to the alleged drug distribution network. The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the operatives for their vigilance and sustained patrols, particularly during the election period. He noted that illicit drugs remain a key factor that can fuel criminality, as drug trafficking and abuse may provide resources and embolden individuals involved in violent and other forms of crime. His remarks underscore the police command’s understanding of the broader societal impact of drug-related activities beyond the immediate health consequences for users.

CP Ama reiterated that the command would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations and targeted raids on identified criminal hideouts across the state, in collaboration with sister security agencies, to prevent criminal activities and protect public safety. The command assured residents that it remains committed to maintaining public safety and protecting the integrity of the electoral process throughout Anambra State. This arrest follows a string of similar operations by the Anambra State Police Command in recent weeks, including a raid on a drug den in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, where two suspected dealers were arrested and illicit drugs valued at ₦6.2 million were recovered, demonstrating the command’s sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes in the state.

Anambra Police Arrest 28-Year-Old Suspected Drug Dealer, Recover ₦5.8m Illicit Consignment

You Can’t Reopen What Is Already Open — Tunji-Ojo Fires Back at Atiku

Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has responded to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 border reopening pledge, insisting that Nigeria’s land borders are already open and therefore cannot be reopened.

Tunji-Ojo’s response came shortly after the Presidency rejected Atiku’s claim that he would reopen the country’s borders if elected president in the 2027 presidential election.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, had described Atiku’s claim as misleading, arguing that the Federal Government had already reopened most of Nigeria’s land borders and had not subsequently ordered a general closure.

Dare said the government reopened most land borders on March 14, 2024, as part of efforts to facilitate legitimate movement and cross-border trade.

He also cited the reopening of the Kamba border in Kebbi State by President Bola Tinubu on February 14, 2026, as further evidence that Nigeria’s land borders remain operational.

Reacting on Saturday, Tunji-Ojo said describing Nigeria’s borders as closed failed to account for the different reasons certain border crossings had been restricted at different periods.

“As the Minister of Interior who supervises the Nigeria Immigration Service being an agency of government in charge of border and migration management, it is expedient to state that Nigerian borders are not closed and so cannot be reopened,” he said.

The minister recalled that Seme, Illela, Maigatari and Mfum borders were reopened on December 16, 2020.

He added that Idiroko and Ikom were reopened for goods and services on April 20, 2022, while the Kamba and Tsamiya border posts in Kebbi State were reopened under the current administration in February 2026.

According to Tunji-Ojo, the reopening of the crossings restored important links between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries, including Niger Republic and Benin Republic.

The minister also addressed Atiku’s references to Nigeria’s borders with Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic, explaining that restrictions at some crossings were imposed for security reasons rather than as part of the country’s 2019 trade policy.

Tunji-Ojo specifically referred to the Banki and Amchidé crossings along the Cameroon border, saying they were closed in 2014 following Boko Haram attacks.

He said the crossings were reopened in 2019, while Fotokol and Gambaru followed in 2021 after joint military and stabilisation efforts involving Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

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The minister argued that treating these different episodes as one prolonged border closure wrongly combines trade policy with counter-insurgency operations.

“Folding this separate, security-driven history into one continuous 2019 shutdown misrepresents two distinct issues, trade regulation and counter-insurgency, as a single failure,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo nevertheless acknowledged that not every border crossing in northern Nigeria operates without restrictions.

He said tighter controls remain necessary in some areas affected by banditry and insurgency, stressing that such measures are intended to protect traders, residents and border communities.

The minister said effective border management cannot be reduced to a choice between completely closing borders and allowing unrestricted movement.

“Modern border management is not a choice between total closure and unrestricted movement; it requires security, documentation, customs compliance and controlled trade facilitation together,” he said.

He also challenged Atiku to provide details of his proposed border policy and explain what changes he intends to introduce if elected president.

“Political competition should not become a competition to rewrite recent history. If he has a new border proposal, he should set it out and explain how it differs from the current approach, rather than treating separate trade, security and infrastructure issues as one and the same,” Tunji-Ojo said.

Atiku’s proposal had centred on the economic importance of Nigeria’s land borders, particularly for businesses and communities that depend on cross-border commerce.

The former vice president has argued that restrictions affecting border trade have hurt entrepreneurs, traders and businesses, particularly young Nigerians who depend on regional commerce for their livelihoods.

He has also advocated measures to strengthen Nigeria’s ports and improve the movement of goods as part of a broader economic agenda ahead of the 2027 election.

The Presidency, however, maintains that an open border does not mean an uncontrolled border.

Dare said the government’s border policy is designed to facilitate legitimate movement, trade and economic activity while preventing terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and other transnational crimes.

He challenged Atiku to identify the specific controls he would remove and explain what safeguards would be put in place to prevent criminals from exploiting the country’s borders.

The disagreement has consequently shifted the debate from the simple question of whether Nigeria’s borders are open to the more complex issue of how effectively they are managed.

Nigeria shares land borders with Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon, creating significant opportunities for regional trade while also presenting substantial security and migration challenges.

Border communities rely heavily on the movement of agricultural products, livestock, manufactured goods and other commodities across these routes.

However, authorities have repeatedly had to balance these economic interests against concerns over smuggling, irregular migration, trafficking, arms movement and activities by armed groups.

The current debate therefore raises broader questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s border infrastructure, customs procedures, immigration controls, surveillance systems and security arrangements.

For Atiku and his political platform, greater openness could boost trade and economic activity in border communities.

For the Federal Government, the priority is to maintain open and functional borders while ensuring that security and regulatory controls are not removed in ways that could expose Nigerians to greater risks.

The controversy is expected to remain part of the political conversation as parties and presidential aspirants develop their 2027 campaign policies.

Ultimately, the key issue may not be whether Nigeria should reopen its borders, but whether the country can make legitimate cross-border movement faster, safer and more affordable while maintaining effective security controls.

Atiku is now likely to face pressure to provide greater detail on what his proposed border policy would change, while the Federal Government will be expected to demonstrate that the existing system is genuinely facilitating legitimate trade and movement across Nigeria’s international borders.

You Can’t Reopen What Is Already Open — Tunji-Ojo Fires Back at Atiku