Four students from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, have died after reportedly falling ill during a sign-out celebration at a lodge in the university community.
Metro learnt on Thursday that six other students were also rushed to the hospital for treatment following the incident, which occurred at Hilltop Lodge, Nsukka, on Wednesday.
The Enugu State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday.
Although some unverified reports claimed that the deceased were graduating students of the Department of Pharmacy, the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students, UNN chapter, dismissed the claim, saying none of the victims was known to the association or the department.
Videos circulating on social media showed at least six persons lying unconscious on the floor of a spacious room, while some people gathered around them, filming and lamenting over the incident.
Metro reports that the circumstances surrounding the deaths remained unclear as of the time of filing this report, with speculation about a possible drug overdose yet to be confirmed.
In a statement jointly signed by the association’s president, Olisaemeka Onah, and secretary-general, Chibuike Obasi, the group described the reports that seven pharmacy students died in the incident as false.
Onah said he visited Faith Foundation Hospital, where the bodies of four victims, comprising two males and two females, were deposited in the mortuary, to establish their identities.
He said, “I personally viewed the deceased, and I can confirm that I did not recognise any of them as a pharmacy student.
“I equally made enquiries regarding the victims and other persons affected by the incident. Among the hospitalised individuals I could identify were two familiar UNN social media personalities, popularly known for street vlogging (Rymez) and dance content (Golden), respectively.”
The association urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified reports, particularly concerning the identities of the deceased.
“We understand the anxiety and concern this information may have generated, particularly among pharmacy students, their families, friends and the wider university community.
“We therefore urge everyone to exercise restraint, avoid spreading unverified information, and rely on credible updates rather than speculation,” the statement added.
The association said it would continue to monitor developments and communicate verified information relevant to its members while expressing sympathy for those affected by the incident.
Meanwhile, a student of the university, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the incident occurred in Nsukka but said the identities and student status of those involved had yet to be established.
“It is true it happened,” the student said.
The source added that some of those affected survived the incident and were receiving treatment at a hospital.
“Some persons are still conscious, and they are in the hospital,” the student said.
The student, however, clarified that the incident occurred outside the university campus and that it could not be confirmed whether those involved were students of the University of Nigeria.
In a statement made available to Metro following an enquiry by our correspondent, Ndukwe said the victims, comprising two males and two females, reportedly took ill after allegedly consuming alcoholic beverages at the gathering.
He stated that the four victims were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, while the six others were receiving medical attention.
According to the police, alcoholic beverages were recovered from the scene, while the remains of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.
The command said it had launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the cause of the deaths.
“The Enugu State Police Command has launched an investigation into the sudden and unnatural deaths of four persons reportedly identified as students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who took ill during an alleged academic sign-out celebration at Hilltop Lodge, Nsukka, on November 11, 2026.
“The victims, comprising two males and two females, reportedly took ill after allegedly consuming alcoholic beverages at the gathering. Six other students were also rushed to the hospital for treatment, while the four victims were confirmed dead on arrival,” the statement partly read.
Similarly, the university management has confirmed the deaths of four students following an off-campus gathering in the university community and announced three days of mourning in their honour.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, disclosed this in a statement posted on the university’s Facebook page on Thursday, adding that six other students who attended the gathering were receiving treatment at different hospitals.
According to the statement, 10 students from different departments attended the party organised to celebrate a friend who had completed his final-year examinations. The four reportedly died after consuming substances suspected to be alcohol and drugs.
“Within these three days, all social and academic activities will be suspended in the University,” Ortuanya said, describing the incident as “a death too many”.
The university management expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, saying, “The management, staff and the 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.”
The university also clarified that the students involved came from different departments, dismissing reports that they were all members of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The management said it was working with security agencies to establish the actual cause of the deaths. It also reiterated its ban on sign-out celebrations, advising students to treat the completion of their studies as a period for reflection rather than wild celebrations.
The management further suspended a planned town hall meeting between the university community and the Enugu State Governor.