A tragic incident has occurred at Hilltop Hostels Nsukka, Enugu State, where four young people died during a gathering organised to celebrate a friend's completion of final-year examinations at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. According to a bereaved relative, Ugwunayi Ikenna, the victims were attending a sign out party when the incident happened. Ikenna recounted his last conversation with his younger cousin, Nnamochie, who was one of the victims, describing him as a calm, intelligent, and lovable young man.
The relative shared an emotional tribute on Facebook, recounting how he had visited Nsukka the previous week and had planned to meet with Nnamochie. However, an unexpected appointment prevented them from seeing each other, and he promised to make time for him over the weekend. Unfortunately, that meeting never happened, as Nnamochie suddenly became unreachable, leaving his family unable to contact him. Ikenna said he returned from Lagos on Wednesday and visited his cousin's remains at a mortuary the following day.
Initial reports suggested that the deceased were pharmacy students of the university, but the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), UNN chapter, clarified that none of the deceased had been identified as a pharmacy student. The university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that four people died, while six others were taken to different hospitals for treatment. According to the Enugu State Police Command, the victims comprised two males and two females who reportedly took ill after allegedly consuming alcoholic beverages at the gathering.
However, Ikenna offered a different account of the gathering's composition, claiming that 11 people were in the room, comprising five males and six females. He further alleged that only one of the women declined to drink, while four people, two males and two females, died. The remaining six, according to his account, survived and were receiving medical attention. Ikenna also claimed that only bottles of Best Gin and Magic Moments were served at the gathering.
Ikenna insisted that his cousin, Nnamochie, neither consumed alcohol nor used drugs. He acknowledged that investigations were ongoing and said he was withholding further findings from visits to hospitals and the mortuary until more facts emerged. The police have commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine their actual cause.
The Vice-Chancellor described the incident as 'a death too ma', and the university community is in shock. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students and the need for vigilance. The police investigation is ongoing, and the university has not released further statements.
The incident has left the family and friends of the victims devastated, with many calling for increased safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The university has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, and this incident has highlighted the need for greater attention to this issue.
Key points
- The incident occurred during a gathering organised to celebrate a friend's completion of final-year examinations at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- The victims reportedly took ill after allegedly consuming alcoholic beverages at the gathering.
- The police have commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine their actual cause.
