Four UNN Students Die After Post-Exam Party in Nsukka

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is mourning four students who died after attending a party organised to celebrate the end of their final examinations.

The two male and two female students reportedly fell ill after consuming alcoholic drinks at a private gathering in Nsukka, Enugu State. However, the exact cause of their deaths has not been established, as investigations are ongoing.

University Declares Three Days of Mourning

The university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, said the institution received a distress call at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday and immediately deployed security personnel to the party venue at Praise Lodge, in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, outside the campus.

Ortuanya said preliminary findings pointed to possible alcohol abuse or the presence of drug-related materials, but stressed that the investigation had not reached a conclusive stage.

Describing the incident as tragic and painful, he expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased students, acknowledging the sacrifices their parents had made to support their education.

The university subsequently declared three days of mourning, during which academic and social activities would be suspended.

UNN Bans Signing-Out Celebrations

As part of its response, the university announced a ban on signing-out celebrations, a tradition among final-year students who mark the completion of their studies through parties, dancing, photographs and messages written on one another's shirts.

The Vice-Chancellor urged students to treat the completion of their studies as an opportunity to reflect on their university experience and prepare for life beyond the institution.

The university said it was working with relevant security agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Police Begin Investigation

Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe said the students reportedly became ill after consuming alcoholic drinks at the gathering.

According to the police, alcoholic beverages were recovered from the scene, while the bodies were taken to a mortuary for autopsies to establish the cause of death.

The investigation comes amid growing concerns about the circulation of fake and adulterated alcoholic drinks in Nigeria.

Previous Methanol Poisoning Raises Concern

In September, dozens of people reportedly fell ill after consuming locally produced alcoholic drinks and herbal mixtures in communities across Ondo State.

More than 11 people died in the Araromi-Obu area, while over 50 others were hospitalised. Investigations found that some of the drinks had been contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic form of alcohol capable of causing blindness and death.

Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) reported more than 150 cases, including 48 confirmed deaths. More than 80 people were hospitalised, while five victims reportedly lost their sight.

The agency has since intensified raids on facilities suspected of producing fake or adulterated alcoholic drinks, food and beverages.

The latest deaths at UNN have renewed concerns about the dangers of unsafe alcoholic products and the need for greater vigilance in their production, distribution and consumption.

BBC News