Official Dismissal Contrasts with Student Videos and Panic Over Alleged Campus Snake Incident.
The management of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has officially denied widespread reports of a snake scare on campus, dismissing them as “false, misleading, and sensationalized.” However, the university’s statement is in sharp contrast with videos, eyewitness accounts, and panic among students that have gone viral on social media platforms.
The Viral Report: Snake Allegedly Discovered in Lecture Hall
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, July 29, 2025, at one of the lecture venues on campus, with students claiming that a large snake was sighted during a class session, prompting a stampede as terrified students scrambled to safety.
Several viral videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok appear to show students in chaos, some jumping through windows and over desks. One clip captioned “See wetin make person go jump window for UNIPORT!” had over 200,000 views as of Tuesday morning.
In one eyewitness account shared by @Miss_Adannaya on X:
“We were in class at ETF Hall 3 when someone shouted ‘snake!’ and everybody started running. I don’t know if anyone was bitten, but I saw some people injure themselves trying to escape.”
Other students echoed similar sentiments, noting the lack of immediate security or emergency response at the scene.
UNIPORT Reacts: No Snake, No Panic — Just Social Media Hysteria
In a swift response, the UNIPORT Public Relations Officer, Dr. Sam Kpenu, issued an official statement on Tuesday morning:
“There was no confirmed sighting of any snake within any lecture hall. The reports circulating on social media are not only exaggerated but entirely false and misleading. We urge the public to disregard the panic-driven narratives making the rounds.”
The university emphasized that no student was harmed, and that academic activities continued without disruption shortly after the incident.
Dr. Kpenu further warned against the spread of misinformation, adding that the university is reviewing CCTV footage and security reports from the affected area.
Eyewitness Videos Suggest Otherwise
Despite the university’s denial, multiple students continue to insist that a snake was seen. Local blog Port Harcourt Gist reposted several eyewitness videos and questioned the school’s response:
“Whether or not the snake was caught, the fear was real. Students jumped out of windows. Some were injured. This calls for better environmental maintenance, not denial.”
Several commenters on the post called for a comprehensive fumigation of lecture halls and transparent investigation rather than blanket dismissals.
Who’s Telling the Truth?
While it remains unclear whether a snake was actually captured, the stark contrast between the university’s version and students’ viral evidence raises concerns about campus safety communication and institutional transparency.
Public affairs analyst, Ifeanyi Odili, told The Nation:
“UNIPORT has the right to refute fake news, but the tone of the denial—when set against multiple corroborating student accounts—can undermine trust in official statements.”
What’s Next?
As of Wednesday morning, no independent security agency or campus safety unit has publicly verified the presence of a snake or the authenticity of the viral videos.
UNIPORT has promised to release an internal report and take disciplinary action if the event is found to be a hoax. Meanwhile, student groups are demanding immediate fumigation and improved security surveillance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, UNIPORT says no snake incident occurred, branding the viral reports as misinformation. On the contrary Eyewitnesses and video evidence tell a different story, citing panic and injuries.
The school is investigating while public debate grows around institutional accountability and campus safety.
If you are a student at UNIPORT, feel free to tell the world your own side of the story. Share with us in the comment section.