UNN Confirms Four Dead, Six Hospitalised After Nsukka House Party, Declares Mourning

What began as a graduation celebration has ended in tragedy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The university has now confirmed four deaths, six hospitalisations and announced three days of mourning as investigations continue.

UNN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, has confirmed four deaths and six hospitalisations following a house party in Nsukka, declaring three days of mourning.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has confirmed the death of four persons, including students and graduates of the institution, following a house party in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, Enugu State.

The university also disclosed that six other persons were hospitalised after the incident, with some reportedly in critical condition.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, announced the development on Thursday, November 12, 2026, while addressing journalists. He also declared three days of mourning across the university community in honour of the deceased.

According to Ortuanya, 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 during a house party at Praise Lodge, Hilltop, outside the university’s Nsukka campus.

He said the institution’s security personnel immediately proceeded to the location, where they discovered that four persons had died, while six others were taken to hospitals for medical attention.

“On arriving at the scene, we discovered that there was a house party in a lodge called Praise Lodge outside the university, precisely around the Hilltop community in the periphery of University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus.

“It was discovered that four persons died immediately. Six other persons are presently in hospital, as they were rushed to hospitals, and they are receiving treatment at the moment,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

Describing the incident as tragic, Ortuanya expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

He added that the university was working with security agencies, particularly the police, to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Vice-Chancellor cautioned against speculation, explaining that preliminary investigations had reportedly raised concerns about alleged alcohol abuse and drug-related substances at the party. However, he stressed that the university had yet to reach a definitive conclusion.

UNN Declares Three Days of Mourning

As part of measures to honour the deceased, Ortuanya declared three days of mourning across the university community.

He announced the suspension of academic and social activities, including lectures and ceremonies, during the mourning period.

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

He appealed to students, staff and other members of the university community to remain calm and prayerful while investigations continue.

Ortuanya further reiterated the university’s ban on sign-out celebrations across its campuses in Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla, urging students to approach the completion of their academic programmes with reflection and responsibility rather than excessive celebrations.

Earlier Reports and PANS Clarification

The latest development follows earlier reports claiming that seven UNN pharmacy students died during a house party in the Hilltop area of Nsukka.

However, the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), UNN Chapter, subsequently debunked claims linking the reported deaths to pharmacy students.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Onah Olisemeka, and Secretary-General, Obasi Chibuike, the association said there was no confirmed information establishing that any of the deceased persons were pharmacy students.

The PANS president had disclosed that he visited Faith Foundation Hospital, where four bodies, comprising two males and two females, were reportedly deposited, but said he could not identify any of them as pharmacy students.

The association also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information while investigations continued.

With the Vice-Chancellor’s latest confirmation, four deaths have now been officially acknowledged by the university, while six other victims remain hospitalised, some in critical condition.

The identities of the deceased and the full circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established publicly.