A fresh controversy has erupted over the mysterious deaths of four University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) students at an off-campus graduation party, following a family member’s rejection of claims that alcohol or drugs caused the tragedy.
Ugwuanyi Ikenna, a cousin of one of the deceased students, identified as Nnamochie, popularly known as Dodo, insists that the young man neither drank alcohol nor used drugs.
He said survivors of the November 11 gathering at Hilltop, Nsukka, had confirmed that his cousin did not consume either alcohol or illicit substances.
In an emotional tribute on social media, Ikenna said he was devastated by the tragedy, particularly after returning from Lagos only to identify his cousin’s lifeless body at the mortuary.
He vowed that the Umu Ezeomawulu community would pursue the matter until the actual circumstances surrounding the death were established.
“Reading so many narratives online, yet the survivors still said it that you don’t do alcohol nor do drugs,” he wrote.
“Yes, investigations are still ongoing, but trust Umu Ezeomawulu—we won’t disappoint you. We will definitely get to the root.”
Survivor’s account raises fresh questions
The cousin’s position has been reinforced by an account from a 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, who reportedly regained consciousness hours after collapsing during the gathering.
The survivor said the party was organised by a friend identified as David to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
According to his account, about 10 people attended the gathering, which began around 11:30am. The host reportedly brought two bottles of alcoholic drinks, identified as Magic Moment and Best, while the participants played Truth or Dare.
He said trouble started when one of the attendees began vomiting.
The survivor said he helped the person to the toilet and returned to clean the vomit before suddenly losing consciousness. He also noticed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk.
He eventually regained consciousness around 9pm and was shocked to find the host and other participants lying motionless on the floor.
He claimed that the doors and windows of the parlour were shut while a generator was operating outside in the corridor, although a fan was switched on inside.
The survivor also dismissed claims that the participants consumed hard drugs, insisting that alcohol was the only substance taken.
“We didn’t smoke, and there was no drug there. We took only alcohol,” he reportedly said.
He maintained that the two bottles were shared among about 10 people, with each person consuming less than a quarter of a party cup.
He further disclosed that a friend who initially arrived after he raised the alarm allegedly left without helping, while another person reportedly recorded the victims instead of seeking immediate assistance.
Another friend eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities.
The survivor said he was still experiencing stiffness in his legs, although his condition was improving.
He also disclosed that police officers questioned him about possible disagreements among the participants and whether he suspected that the drinks had been tampered with.
He, however, said he had no reason to suspect the host, David, whom he described as someone who did not keep malice.
Police recover alcoholic drinks, await autopsy
The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed that four people, comprising two males and two females, died following the incident, while six others were rushed to hospitals.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the victims reportedly took ill after allegedly consuming alcoholic beverages at the gathering.
According to the police, alcoholic drinks were recovered from the scene, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.
The command said it had commenced an investigation into the sudden and unnatural deaths to establish their actual cause.
The possibility of drink contamination, poisoning or another environmental factor has also become an important question following the survivor’s account of the closed room and generator operating outside.
However, none of these possibilities has been officially established as the cause of the deaths.
UNN clarifies number of victims, declares mourning
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that 10 students were involved in the incident, with four dying and six receiving treatment in different hospitals.
He disclosed that the university received a distress call at about 10pm on November 11, prompting its security personnel to rush to the off-campus lodge in the Hilltop community.
The university boss said preliminary findings pointed towards possible alcohol and drug abuse but stressed that the investigation was not conclusive.
He also clarified that the victims were from different departments, dismissing reports that they were all Pharmacy students.
The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students, UNN chapter, had earlier debunked reports that seven Pharmacy students died in the incident.
Its president, Olisaemeka Onah, and secretary, Chibuike Obasi, said they visited Faith Foundation Hospital, where the four bodies were deposited, but did not recognise any of the deceased as Pharmacy students.
The association also identified two of the hospitalised persons as familiar UNN social media personalities known as Rymez and Golden.
UNN subsequently declared three days of mourning, suspending academic and social activities across the institution in honour of the deceased.
Mbah orders investigation, moves to ban sign-out parties
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mazi Uche Anichukwu, the governor said his administration would work with the university authorities and security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Mbah also announced plans to collaborate with tertiary institutions to enforce a full ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations.
He suspended his scheduled town hall meeting with the UNN community on Friday, November 13, as a mark of respect for the deceased.
The governor equally called for increased public enlightenment on the dangers of drug use and abuse.
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