University of Port Harcourt Gate
University assures students and public of campus safety, warns against spreading false information for social media clout.
The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has categorically refuted circulating rumours that a snake, allegedly revered as a deity, was found and killed in one of its classrooms or hostels. The institution has labelled the claims as entirely baseless, misleading, and a calculated attempt to tarnish its reputation.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the university’s spokesperson, Dr. Sammy Kpenu, debunked the widely shared social media reports and accompanying voice note that sparked panic among students, parents, and the general public.
“The attention of the University of Port Harcourt Management has been drawn to unfounded rumours and misleading social media posts alleging that a ‘big snake’ was killed in one of the classrooms on campus and being described as a deity,” Kpenu stated.
He clarified that no such incident occurred on campus and described the entire episode as a fabrication. “No snake was seen, no snake was killed, and no incident of such nature has occurred anywhere on the University campus. These claims are entirely false, baseless, and a figment of the imagination of mischief-makers,” the university’s statement read.
According to the institution, the source of the misinformation appears to be individuals seeking “cheap popularity, attention, and social media followership at the expense of the peace and credibility of the University.”
Kpenu reassured students, staff, and stakeholders that the University of Port Harcourt remains a safe and conducive environment for academic activities. He emphasized that the management takes the spread of such false information seriously and has initiated appropriate measures to identify and report those responsible to the relevant authorities.
“Management strongly advises members of the public, staff, students, and stakeholders to disregard this fake news in its entirety and desist from sharing such misleading information,” the statement continued.
UNIPORT also advised the public to rely solely on its official communication channels for accurate information and updates. The university reiterated its commitment to maintaining a peaceful and secure academic community and warned that efforts are ongoing to trace the origin of the rumour and hold the perpetrators accountable.
This clarification comes in the wake of heightened public concern caused by a viral voice note and social media posts claiming that a serpent believed to be a spiritual entity had been found on campus, an allegation that has now been proven to be completely unfounded.
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