By Chijioke Attah
The management of the University of Nigeria has declared a three-day mourning over the tragic death of four students who reportedly died at an off-campus house party in Nsukka.
Addressing the media on the unfortunate incident, which happened on 11th November 2026, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Simon Ortunaya clarified that ten students of the University were involved in the party which they organized to celebrate one of their friends who finished his final year examination. Unfortunately, he said, four of them died after consuming substances suspected to be alcohol and drugs adding that the remaining six students were currently at various stages of recuperation in a hospital.
Consequently, the Vice-Chancellor declared a three-day mourning for the deceased students.
Said the VC, “Within these three days, all social and academic activities will be suspended in the University”, Prof. Ortuanya said.
The Vice-Chancellor also suspended a town-hall meeting earlier scheduled between the University Community and the Governor of Enugu State.
He described the tragic loss of the students as “a death too many”.
Prof Ortuanya extended his heart-felt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased students.
“The Management , staff and the 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 further clarified that the students involved in the incident cut across different departments as against the widely-speculated reports that they were from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Prof. Ortuanya reiterated that ban on all forms of sign-out celebrations in the University, urging students to take desist from indulging in activities that will endanger their lives.
He said that the University is cooperating with security agencies to unravel the actual cause of death of the students.
