UNN declares three-day mourning for four students lost in off-campus party

From Felix Ikem, Nsukka

The management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has declared three days of mourning following the death of four students at a tragic off-campus house party in Nsukka.

Addressing journalists in Nsukka on Thursday on the incident, which occurred on November 11, 2026, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, disclosed that 10 students had participated in the party, which was organised to celebrate a friend who had completed his final-year examinations.

He said four of the students died after allegedly consuming substances suspected to be alcohol and drugs, while the remaining six were receiving medical attention at various hospitals.

Consequently, the university management declared three days of mourning, during which all social and academic activities would be suspended.

“Within these three days, all social and academic activities will be suspended in the university,” Ortuanya said.

He also announced the suspension of a town hall meeting earlier scheduled between the university community and the Enugu State Governor.

Describing the incident as “a death too many”, the vice-chancellor extended the university’s condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

“The management, staff and students of the University of Nigeria share in their grief at this difficult moment and pray for the repose of the souls of the departed,” he said.

Ortuanya clarified that the students involved in the incident were from different departments, contrary to widespread reports that they were all students of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

He reiterated the university’s ban on all forms of sign-out celebrations and urged students to desist from activities that could endanger their lives.

The vice-chancellor added that the university was cooperating with security agencies to establish the actual circumstances surrounding the students’ deaths.