UNN Party Tragedy: Survivor Recounts How He Regained Consciousness and Found Friends Lying Lifeless
A 24-year-old student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has recounted how he narrowly escaped death during an off-campus party that claimed the lives of four students in Nsukka, Enugu State.
The survivor, an Art Education student, said he lost consciousness after one of the participants vomited during the party. He regained consciousness several hours later, only to discover his friends lying motionless on the floor.
According to him, the gathering was organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
He said the host purchased two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moment and Best, which they took to his residence at Hilltop, Nsukka, where about 10 people gathered for the celebration.
The party reportedly started around 11:30 a.m., with participants sharing the drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting what happened, the survivor said:
“During the party, one of the participants started vomiting. I took him to the toilet and asked him to clean himself up. I then came out to clean the vomit on the floor.
“After that, I suddenly lost consciousness. However, I noticed that my legs had become stiff, and I could no longer walk.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that a ghost was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor.”
He said he immediately contacted a friend, who came to the house, saw their condition and left.
The survivor expressed disappointment that another person who reportedly arrived at the scene began recording them instead of making efforts to rescue them.
He subsequently contacted another friend, who helped convey them to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other hospitals in Nsukka for medical attention.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, he said the participants were inside the parlour with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was operating outside in the corridor. A fan was also switched on inside the room.
The student dismissed suggestions that the participants might have taken illicit drugs, insisting that alcohol was the only substance consumed at the gathering.
“We didn’t smoke, and there was no drug there. We took only alcohol. We had just two bottles for about 10 people, so the quantity each person drank was very little, not even up to a quarter of a party cup,” he said.
The survivor disclosed that his legs were still stiff, although his condition was gradually improving.
He added that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Otuanya, had visited him to ascertain his state of health. Some local government representatives, friends and police officers had also visited.
According to him, the police asked whether the participants had any disagreements with anyone or suspected that somebody might have tampered with their drinks.
He said:
“People have been asking me whether someone poisoned the drinks. Even the police officers who came asked whether we had issues with anyone or suspected anybody.
“But the host is not someone who keeps malice. I also saw him lying on the floor when I regained consciousness. His brother later confirmed that he was receiving treatment at Bishop Shanahan Hospital.”
Reflecting on the incident, the survivor described it as a frightening experience that had completely changed his perception of alcohol consumption.
“This was the first time I took alcohol and experienced such a condition. I think this will be the last time I will ever take alcohol,” he said.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the dangers of operating generators in poorly ventilated or enclosed environments. Generator fumes contain carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can cause unconsciousness and death.
