Authorities of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on Thursday, November 12, declared a three-day mourning over the death of four students at an off-campus house party in Nsukka.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Simon Ortuanya, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the unfortunate incident.
Ortuanya said the incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11 during a house party organised at the off campus of the university, adding that 10 students of the university were involved.
He said: “They organised the party to celebrate one of their friends who concluded his final year examination.
“Unfortunately, four of them died after consuming substances suspected to be alcohol and drugs while the remaining six are currently at various stages of recuperation in the hospital.
“The university hereby declares a three-day mourning for the deceased students. Within these three days, all social and academic activities will be suspended in the university.”
Ortuanya also suspended a town hall meeting earlier scheduled between the university community and the Governor of Enugu State, describing the loss of the students as a “death too many”.
Ortuanya extended the university’s condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the dead students.
The VC also clarified that the students involved in the incident cut across different departments as against reports that they were only from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Ortuanya reiterated UNN’s earlier ban on all forms of sign-out celebrations in the university, urging students to desist from indulging in activities that would endanger their lives.
