A night of celebration meant to crown years of study has turned into a scene of mourning in Nsukka, as authorities and student leaders grapple with conflicting accounts of a house party that reportedly left multiple graduates dead.
The gathering took place on Wednesday night, November 11, at the Hilltop area, an off-campus residential zone near the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State.
The event was organised as a sign-out party by students who had just completed their final examinations and academic programmes.
Initial reports indicated that seven graduates, said to be from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, lost their lives during the indoor celebration.
However, other accounts put the death toll at six, with the Daily Post reporting that five females and one male were found dead in an apartment on Thursday morning.
The exact number of casualties and the identities of the victims remain officially unconfirmed.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge as PANS Disputes Victim Identities
The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), UNN chapter, has moved to clarify the situation, stating that no Pharmacy student has been confirmed among the deceased.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Olisaemeka Onah, the association disclosed that he personally visited Faith Foundation Hospital to ascertain the identities of the victims.
According to Onah, four bodies—comprising two males and two females—had been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
He stated that after viewing the deceased, he did not recognise any of them as Pharmacy students.
“I went to Faith Foundation Hospital this morning to see things for myself,” Onah said. “Four bodies were deposited there—two males and two females. After viewing them, I can confirm that none of them is a Pharmacy student.”
The PANS president further identified two familiar UNN social media personalities among those hospitalised: Rymez, known for street vlogging, and Golden, known for dance content.
“Among those receiving treatment, I saw Rymez and Golden, both popular UNN content creators,” he added.
The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has also reportedly distanced itself from viral claims linking the deceased to the department, describing them as false information capable of causing panic.
Meanwhile, police sources indicated that six persons were confirmed dead, with four others receiving medical treatment at separate hospitals.
University Management, Police Stay Silent as Questions Mount
The Acting Public Relations Officer of UNN, Mr Inya Agha Egwu, told journalists on Thursday morning that management would issue an official statement shortly.
“Good morning, colleagues,” he said. “Those calling in connection with the incident that happened last night should please hold on. We will issue an official statement on the matter soon.”
As of press time, neither the university management nor the Enugu State Police Command had issued a formal confirmation on the death toll or the cause of the tragedy.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain officially unknown.
While unverified reports circulating on social media have alleged hard drug consumption, with one anonymous student alleging that a medical examination revealed an overdose in one of the survivors, these claims have not been independently confirmed by authorities.
Other unverified accounts suggested possible poisoning.
Grief and Anxiety Grip University Community
Videos and photographs of the graduates celebrating earlier on Wednesday had circulated on social media before reports of the tragedy emerged.
Footage subsequently shared online purportedly showed lifeless bodies lying in a spacious room, though the authenticity of the videos has not been verified.
The incident has sparked widespread grief and anxiety among students, families, and residents of the university community, particularly given that the gathering was intended to mark a milestone academic achievement.
PANS has called for restraint, asking members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely on credible updates as investigations continue.
“We appeal to everyone to stop spreading rumours,” the association said. “Only credible information from official sources should be shared at this time.”
Authorities are expected to provide further clarification as the university and police finalise their inquiries into what transpired at the Hilltop residence that night.
