Four persons have reportedly died following a gathering at an off-campus lodge in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, close to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), amid uncertainty over whether the victims were students of the institution.
The incident, which came to public attention on Thursday, generated widespread reactions after videos showing several persons lying motionless inside a room at the lodge circulated on social media.
While initial reports claimed that seven Pharmacy students had died during a sign-out party organised after their examinations, the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), UNN Chapter, has rejected the claim, saying no Pharmacy student has been confirmed among the deceased.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Onah Olisaemeka, and Secretary-General, Obasi Chibuike V., the association said its leadership had conducted preliminary checks to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
Olisaemeka said he visited Faith Foundation Hospital, where the remains of four persons, comprising two males and two females, were deposited.
He also said he personally viewed the bodies but could not identify any of the deceased as a Pharmacy student.
“In a bid to ascertain the facts and address the growing concerns within our community, I personally visited Faith Foundation Hospital, where the bodies of four deceased persons (two boys and two girls) from the incident were deposited at the mortuary.
“I also personally viewed the deceased, and can confirm that I did not recognise any of them as a pharmacy student,” he said.
The association further revealed that two persons who were receiving treatment following the incident were known personalities within the university's social media community.
They were identified by their popular names, Rymez and Golden, and are reportedly known for street vlogging and dance-related content.
PANS expressed concern over the circulation of unverified reports, particularly claims linking the deaths to Pharmacy students, and appealed to members of the university community to exercise caution.
It urged students, parents and other members of the public to depend on credible information rather than speculation.
A UNN student, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the incident occurred in Nsukka but said the identities of those involved and their relationship with the university had not been established.
“It is true it happened,” the student said.
The source added that some persons affected by the incident survived and were still receiving medical attention.
“Some persons are still conscious, and they are in the hospital,” the student disclosed.
The student stressed that the gathering took place outside the university campus and could not confirm whether the victims were registered students of UNN.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain largely unclear, including what transpired at the lodge and what led to the deaths.
Although social media reports initially associated the gathering with a Pharmacy students' sign-out celebration, the association's statement has cast doubt on that account.
The identities of the four deceased persons and the cause of their deaths had yet to be officially established as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to obtain confirmation and further details from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command had yet to respond to enquiries from our correspondent.
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