Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of four students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), following an off-campus celebration that also left six others hospitalised.
The governor, while expressing condolences to the bereaved families, said his administration would collaborate with the university management and security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent similar tragedies.
He also announced plans to work with authorities of tertiary institutions across the state to prohibit sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations among students, describing the practice as a growing source of avoidable deaths and distress to families.
The incident occurred during an off-campus party organised by some students to celebrate a friend’s completion of final-year examinations.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon Ortuanya, had confirmed that 10 students attended the gathering at a lodge in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, where four reportedly died after consuming substances suspected to be alcohol and drugs.
The remaining six were rushed to different hospitals, where they were receiving medical attention.
Although preliminary findings reportedly suggested possible alcohol and drug abuse, the university management said investigations were ongoing to determine the actual cause of the deaths.
Reacting to the tragedy, Mbah described the incident as devastating, noting that the loss of young people with promising futures represented a painful setback for their families, the university and Enugu State.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Mazi Uche Anichukwu, the governor said: “I received with rude shock and deep sense of loss the news of the off-campus sign-out party leading to the death of four students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and hospitalisation of six others.
“This is a grievous loss not only to the immediate families of the deceased and the university, but also to us as a state. Losing them in their prime and along with their promising future cuts as deeply as a sharp knife.”
The governor particularly sympathised with the parents of the deceased, acknowledging the sacrifices they had made to provide their children with university education.
“Our hearts go out to their parents in particular, who sacrificed personal comforts to sponsor their children through the university, but only to face this sad turn of events,” he said.
Mbah assured residents that the investigation would be thorough, stressing that his administration was determined to uncover the circumstances that led to the deaths.
He said: “As a government, we have ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths and will work closely with the university authorities and security agencies to get to the roots of the sad development and forestall a recurrence.”
As part of measures to honour the deceased and identify with the university community during the period of mourning, the governor also suspended a town hall meeting earlier scheduled with the UNN community for Friday, November 13.
Beyond the immediate investigation, Mbah said the government would engage tertiary institutions to enforce a comprehensive prohibition of sign-out parties and other forms of excessive student celebrations.
He warned that such gatherings had increasingly brought sorrow to families and educational institutions instead of providing the intended opportunity for celebration.
“Going forward, we will work with the authorities of tertiary institutions to enforce a full ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations, a trend that has cost more lives and brought more sorrows than joy to families and higher institutions of learning,” the governor stated.
He also called on relevant government agencies and educational institutions to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of drug consumption and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Meanwhile, the UNN management has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the deceased students, during which academic and social activities were suspended.
The university also cancelled its scheduled town hall meeting with the governor, while urging members of the university community to remain calm and avoid speculation as investigations continue.
The Vice-Chancellor maintained that the institution was cooperating with security agencies and other relevant authorities to establish the cause of the incident.
He further clarified that the students involved came from different departments, dismissing reports suggesting that all the victims belonged to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their families, friends and the entire university community the strength to bear the loss.
