Survivor Recounts Moments Before Losing Consciousness At UNN Off-Campus Party

A survivor of the tragic off-campus gathering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State—which claimed the lives of four students and left six others hospitalised—has recounted the final moments before he lost consciousness while cleaning up after a fellow attendee vomited.

The 24-year-old survivor also disclosed that the ill-fated party marked his first time ever consuming alcohol, expressing deep regret over the ordeal and vowing never to drink again.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard on Friday, the survivor explained that he attended the gathering upon the invitation of a friend named David, who organized the party at a one-bedroom apartment in the Hilltop area of Nsukka to celebrate the completion of his examinations.

According to him, the gathering began at about 11:30 pm with approximately 10 people in attendance. The group played truth or dare games and shared two bottles of alcoholic drinks, identified as Magic Moments and Best, poured in small quantities into party cups.

‘My friend organised the party and invited me. He said I should come. Then, he brought Magic Moments and Best. We bought them and took them home. The party began around 11:30 pm. We started playing games, truth or dare… It is just like a fun game where if you are told to say the truth, you say the truth about something, and if they dare you to do something, you do it,’ he recounted.

Recounting how he collapsed, the survivor stated that one of the male attendees vomited during the gathering, prompting him to assist.

‘At a point, one of the boys vomited, and I took him to the bathroom and told him to clean himself up. I brought out a rag to clean the curtain he vomited on. When I finished, I went to drop the bucket of water. I lost consciousness there,’ he said.

He noted that the gathering took place in the parlour of a one-bedroom apartment where the windows were shut and a ceiling fan was running. Although the apartment featured an air conditioner, it was switched off, while a generator was operating outside the corridor close to the unit.

Regarding the alcohol consumption, he reiterated that the drinks were shared sparingly because they only had two bottles, noting that each cup contained less than a quarter of a standard party cup.

Giving an update on his health, the survivor stated that he is gradually recovering, though his legs remain stiff and he cannot use them properly. He confirmed receiving medical attention and noted that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, along with local government representatives and friends, had visited the affected students.

Reflecting on the traumatic episode, he added: ‘I feel so numb because I never even thought of what would happen at first, because this is just the first time I am taking alcohol and it has got me to this extent. So I am not really proud of it. But I know that this will be the last of it.’

He noted that he could not confirm whether the drinks had been tampered with or poisoned, stating that police officers had questioned him regarding any potential disputes or suspects, to which he responded that he had none.

The tragedy prompted the Enugu State Police Command to launch an investigation, recovering alcoholic beverages from the scene and depositing the remains of the deceased students in a mortuary for autopsy. In response, the university management confirmed the deaths of four students—two males and two females—and declared three days of mourning, suspending all academic and social activities.