A survivor of the deadly UNN party says he lost consciousness after cleaning vomit, as police investigate the deaths of four students

A 24-year-old survivor of the off-campus party at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where four students died and six others were hospitalised, has recounted how he lost consciousness while cleaning vomit during the gathering.

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The survivor, who said it was his first time consuming alcohol, expressed regret over the experience and vowed never to drink again.

He gave the account in an interview with Vanguard on Friday, explaining that he attended the gathering after being invited by a friend identified as David, who organised the party to celebrate the completion of his examinations.

According to him, about 10 people attended the gathering at an apartment in the Hilltop area of Nsukka. The party began at approximately 11.30pm, with participants playing truth or dare and sharing two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moments and Best.

He said the drinks were served in small quantities because there were only two bottles for the group.

Recounting the moment he collapsed, the survivor said one of the male attendees vomited during the gathering, prompting him to help clean the affected area.

“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.

The survivor explained that the gathering took place in the parlour of a one-bedroom apartment, where the windows were shut and a fan was running.

Although the apartment had an air conditioner, he said it was not switched on. A generator was also operating outside the corridor, close to the apartment.

He maintained that the group consumed only small quantities of alcohol, insisting that each person received less than a quarter of a party cup.

Speaking about his health, the survivor said he was gradually recovering but remained unable to use his legs properly because of stiffness.

“Currently, I am getting better. It is just that my legs are still stiff. I cannot still use my legs,” he said.

He confirmed that he was receiving medical attention and disclosed that UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, had visited the affected students alongside local government representatives and friends.

Reflecting on the incident, he said he was struggling to understand how the experience had affected him, particularly as he had never consumed alcohol before.

“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 said.

The survivor also said he could not determine whether the drinks had been contaminated, although people had repeatedly asked him whether someone might have poisoned them.

He disclosed that police officers questioned him about possible disagreements among the attendees and whether he suspected anyone of attempting to harm them. However, he said he did not suspect anybody.

The incident occurred on November 11 at an off-campus gathering in the Hilltop area of Nsukka. Four people, comprising two males and two females, died, while six others were taken to hospital.

The Enugu State Police Command said alcoholic beverages were recovered from the scene and that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine their actual cause.

UNN management confirmed the deaths and announced three days of mourning, during which academic and social activities were suspended.

The university also said it was working with security agencies to establish what happened, while reiterating its ban on sign-out celebrations.

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The precise cause of the deaths and the survivor’s collapse had not been officially established in the reports available at the time of publication.