Four students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have died after an off-campus gathering in Nsukka, Enugu State. Six others were hospitalised as the university declared three days of mourning.
The tragedy occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Praise Lord Lodge in the Hilltop area of Nsukka.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, said 10 students were involved. Four died, while six others were taken to different hospitals.
The incident has triggered grief across the university community. It has also raised questions about what happened during the gathering and what led to the students’ sudden collapse.
What happened at the lodge?
According to Premium Times, the university received a distress call at about 10pm.
Its security team visited the lodge and found students who had gathered for a celebration.
Reports indicate that the party was organised to celebrate a friend’s completion of final-year examinations.
The Vice-Chancellor said the students reportedly consumed substances suspected to be alcohol and drugs. However, the exact cause of their deaths has not been established.
The six survivors are receiving medical attention at different hospitals.
Were all the victims Pharmacy students?
Early reports linked the incident to final-year students of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Some publications also circulated claims that seven Pharmacy students had died.
However, the university clarified that the students involved came from different departments.
The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), UNN chapter, also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information about the victims.
UNN declares three days of mourning
Following the tragedy, the university declared three days of mourning in honour of the deceased students.
Academic and social activities were suspended during the period. Management also postponed a town hall meeting earlier scheduled with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.
Ortuanya described the deaths as “a death too many” and extended the university’s condolences to the affected families.
Management also reiterated its ban on sign-out celebrations. It urged students to avoid activities that could put their lives at risk.
Police investigate the incident
The Enugu State Police Command has begun investigating the deaths.
The Sun reported that police confirmed the victims comprised two males and two females.
Investigators are expected to establish what the students consumed and the circumstances surrounding their collapse.
For now, the suspected involvement of alcohol or other substances has not been confirmed as the medical cause of death.
The university community is mourning four students while six others continue their recovery. The police investigation is expected to provide clearer answers about the tragedy.