University of Port Harcourt Dismisses Viral Snake Rumour as Fake News, Urges Calm

The University of Port Harcourt has firmly denied viral social media reports claiming that a large snake, allegedly described as a “deity,” was discovered and killed on campus.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the university described the reports — which included a widely circulated voice note — as entirely false, misleading, and designed to incite fear among students and the general public.

“The attention of the University 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,” the university’s spokesperson, Dr. Sammy Kpenu, said in the statement.

He further clarified, “For the avoidance of doubt, no snake was seen, no snake was killed, and no such incident occurred anywhere on campus.”

The false post, which gained traction on Tuesday, triggered panic and concern from students, parents, and stakeholders, prompting the university to reassure the public of its commitment to a safe and secure learning environment.

Dr. Kpenu accused those behind the rumour of seeking “cheap popularity and online attention” at the expense of the university’s peace and reputation. He emphasized that the story was a fabrication intended to mislead and provoke fear.

The university urged members of the public to rely solely on official communication channels for accurate updates, and not to share unverified information. It also revealed that steps have been taken to monitor and report individuals actively spreading the misinformation to relevant authorities.

“The University of Port Harcourt remains a safe place to live, learn, and grow,” the statement assured.