Student arrested after hot water attack in Makurdi university room

Police in Benue State have arrested a 500-level student of Fr Moses Adasu University, formerly Benue State University, over an attack on the woman she shared a room with. The state police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the incident happened on Friday, 28 August, and that an investigation had begun into what caused the dispute between the two students.

According to Aondongu, the suspect boiled water, added salt and pepper, poured the mixture on the victim and locked her in the room. Neighbours who realised what had happened intervened and took the victim to hospital, while the suspect was arrested. The police said the origin of the disagreement was not yet established.

The students' union president, Akighirga Vitalis, who visited the hospital with members of his executive, said the victim, a 200-level political science student, had described a personal disagreement with the suspect that escalated. He called the attack a grave assault on the well-being of a fellow student, said the union would follow the police investigation, and indicated it would back sanctions, including expulsion, if the allegations are established through the university's disciplinary process.