UNN Mourns as Four Students Die After Suspected Drug and Alcohol Consumption

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has declared a three-day period of mourning following the tragic deaths of four students who passed away after attending an off-campus party.
​The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, disclosed this on Thursday, November 12, 2026, explaining that the gathering took place on November 11 to celebrate a friend who had finished his final-year examinations.
​According to Ortuanya, ten students attended the party, where four reportedly died after consuming substances suspected to be a mixture of alcohol and drugs. The remaining six students are currently receiving medical treatment at various hospitals.
​Suspension of Activities and Safety Warnings
​In honor of the deceased, university management has suspended all academic and social activities for three days. As a result, a previously scheduled town hall meeting between the university community and the Enugu State Governor has been postponed.
​“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,” Ortuanya said, describing the tragedy as “a death too many.”
​Addressing speculations, the Vice-Chancellor clarified that the affected students belonged to various departments, dismissing earlier reports that all victims were enrolled in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
​Reiterating the institution’s zero-tolerance policy toward high-risk festivities, Ortuanya reminded students that all forms of “sign-out” celebrations remain strictly prohibited and urged undergraduates to avoid behaviors that endanger their lives. He added that the university is collaborating closely with security agencies to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.