UNN VC Gives Update on Death of Students, Declares Three-Day Mourning

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Simon Ortuanya, has confirmed the deaths of four people, including students and graduates of the institution, following a party at a lodge in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, Enugu State.

Ortuanya disclosed this while addressing journalists on Thursday, November 12, 2026. He said six other people were hospitalised, with some reportedly in critical condition.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university received a distress call at about 10pm on Wednesday, November 11, informing it that some students and graduates had been involved in an incident at a house party.

He said the university’s security personnel immediately proceeded to the scene at Praise Lodge, located in the Hilltop community outside the institution’s Nsukka campus.

On arrival, they discovered that four people had died, while six others had been rushed to hospitals for medical attention.

Ortuanya described the incident as tragic and extended his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

He said the university was working with security agencies, particularly the police, to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

However, he cautioned against speculation, explaining that preliminary investigations had reportedly pointed to alleged alcohol abuse and the use of drug-related substances at the party. He stressed that the university had not reached a definitive conclusion on the cause of the incident.

The Vice-Chancellor also reiterated the university’s ban on sign-out celebrations across its campuses in Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla. He said graduation should be a period of reflection rather than excessive celebrations.

Meanwhile, Ortuanya declared three days of mourning across the university community in response to the tragedy.

He announced that all academic and social activities, including lectures and ceremonies, would be suspended throughout the mourning period.

The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that the town hall meeting scheduled for Friday, November 13, between the university community and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, had been postponed. A new date, he said, would be announced later.

He appealed to members of the university community to remain calm and prayerful while investigations continued.

Ortuanya reiterated that 10 people were involved in the house party, with four confirmed dead and the remaining six receiving medical attention, some of them in critical condition.