The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has declared three days of mourning following the deaths of four students at an off-campus gathering in Nsukka, Enugu State, in an incident that has left six others hospitalised.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, announced the decision on Thursday while addressing journalists, describing the incident as a devastating loss to the university community.
According to him, 10 students attended a private party on November 11, 2026, organised to celebrate a friend who had just completed his final-year examinations.
What was meant to be a celebration ended in tragedy after four of the students reportedly died following the consumption of substances suspected to include alcohol and drugs.
The six surviving students were taken to different hospitals, where they were receiving medical attention as of Thursday.
The university management has since declared three days of mourning in honour of the deceased students.
During the period, all academic and social activities across the institution will be suspended.
“Within these three days, all social and academic activities will be suspended in the university,” Ortuanya said.
The vice-chancellor also announced the postponement of a town hall meeting scheduled to bring members of the university community together with the Enugu State Governor.
Ortuanya addressed reports circulating about the identities of the victims, clarifying that the students involved in the incident came from different academic departments.
He specifically dismissed claims that all four deceased students were from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The clarification comes amid reports and speculation surrounding the incident, which has attracted considerable concern within the university community.
Describing the deaths as “a death too many”, the vice-chancellor extended the university’s condolences to the bereaved families, friends and colleagues of the victims.
“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.
