UNN Declares Three Days of Mourning After Four Students Die at Off-Campus Gathering.

The management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has declared three days of mourning following the deaths of four students during an off-campus gathering in Nsukka, Enugu State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during a celebration organised by students to mark the completion of a friend’s final-year examinations.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Simon Ortuanya, confirmed the incident while speaking with journalists. He disclosed that 10 students attended the gathering, out of whom four died, while the remaining six were taken to the hospital for medical attention.

The Vice-Chancellor also corrected earlier reports that had put the death toll at seven, clarifying that four students had so far been confirmed dead.

According to him, the students reportedly consumed substances suspected to include alcoholic drinks and drugs before the incident. However, the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths are yet to be established.

In response to the tragedy, the university management announced a three-day mourning period during which academic and social activities would be suspended across the institution.

Professor Ortuanya expressed the university’s condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased, describing the incident as a painful loss to the entire university community.

He also clarified that the affected students were from different departments, dismissing reports suggesting that all the victims belonged to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

UNN Reiterates Ban on Sign-Out Celebrations

Following the incident, the university management renewed its warning against sign-out celebrations and other activities that could expose students to danger.

The institution also disclosed that it was working with relevant security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police Begin Investigation into Students’ Deaths

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, identified the victims as two male and two female students who reportedly became ill during an alleged academic sign-out celebration at Hilltop Lodge, Nsukka.

According to the police spokesperson, alcoholic beverages were recovered from the location, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

The police said investigations were ongoing to determine the actual cause of the deaths, adding that further information would be made available as the investigation progresses.

The incident has raised concerns within the university community, particularly over the safety of students during off-campus celebrations.