A 200-level Political Science student of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), Rose Adikwu, has been hospitalised with serious burns after she was allegedly scalded with a hot mixture by her cousin and co-tenant.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, August 28, 2026, reportedly followed a prolonged disagreement between Adikwu and the suspect, identified as Agbo Felicia, a 500-level Chemistry student of the same institution.

Adikwu is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, while Felicia has been arrested by the police.

Narrating her ordeal when the Students’ Union President, Akighirga Vitalis, and other union executives visited her at the hospital, Adikwu alleged that tensions between her and Felicia had persisted over personal issues.

According to her, the disagreement eventually became so serious that she asked Felicia to move out of the apartment they shared.

Adikwu alleged that after packing her belongings, Felicia went to a neighbour’s apartment, boiled water and mixed it with pepper, salt, onions and seasoning.

She claimed the suspect subsequently returned to their apartment and poured the hot mixture on her before locking the door and leaving her inside.

“She then returned to the apartment and poured the hot mixture on me, locked the door, and left me inside while I cried for help,” Adikwu alleged.

Her cries reportedly attracted neighbours, who forced their way into the apartment and rescued her.

Felicia was said to have been intercepted while attempting to leave the area, after which the police were contacted and she was taken into custody.

Reacting, the Students’ Union President 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,” Vitalis said.

He assured Adikwu and her family that the union would liaise with relevant authorities, monitor the police investigation and follow any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated by the university.

Vitalis said that if the allegations were established through due process, the union would support appropriate sanctions in accordance with the institution’s regulations, including expulsion where warranted.

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

The union president also urged students involved in disputes with roommates, relatives or colleagues to seek peaceful and lawful means of resolving their differences.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect.

According to Aondongu, preliminary information available to the police indicated that the two students had been living together before their disagreement escalated.

“Yes, it happened on Friday, August 28, 2026.

“From the information I have, both students were staying in the same room and had an issue. The suspect allegedly boiled water, added salt and pepper, and poured the mixture on the victim and then locked her inside.

“After some time, people became aware of what had happened and were able to intervene and rescue the victim. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment, while the suspect was arrested,” he said.

Aondongu said the police had yet to establish what triggered the disagreement but confirmed that an investigation was ongoing.

“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 added.

The police said further details would be made available as investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack progresses.