UNN Pharmacy Students Dismiss Claims of Seven Deaths After Nsukka Lodge Incident

The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Chapter, has dismissed reports claiming that seven Pharmacy students died following an incident at an off-campus lodge in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, Enugu State.

The clarification followed reports that four people had died after a gathering at the lodge, with graphic videos showing several individuals lying motionless inside a room circulating widely on social media.

In an official statement issued on Thursday, the association said there was no confirmed report that any Pharmacy student was among those who died.

The statement was signed by the association’s President, Onah Olisaemeka, and Secretary-General, Obasi Chibuike V.

The association’s president disclosed that he personally visited Faith Foundation Hospital, where the bodies of four victims, comprising two males and two females, had been deposited at the mortuary.

He said he also viewed the deceased but did not recognise any of them as Pharmacy students.

The statement read, “There is no confirmed report of any pharmacy student being among the victims of the incident.”

It added that the association was taking steps to establish the facts surrounding the incident and address concerns among students and members of the university community.

PANS further disclosed that two individuals who were hospitalised following the incident were familiar personalities within the UNN social media community, popularly known as Rymez and Golden, who are associated with street vlogging and dance content.

The association acknowledged the anxiety generated by reports linking Pharmacy students to the incident, particularly among students, their families and friends.

It therefore urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information and rely on credible updates as investigations into the incident continue.

Meanwhile, a student of the university, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the incident occurred in Nsukka but said the identities and student status of those involved had not been established.

The student said some of the affected individuals were still conscious and receiving medical attention at a hospital.

The source, however, clarified that the incident occurred outside the university campus and could not confirm whether the victims were students of UNN.

The incident attracted widespread attention on Thursday after videos showing several people lying motionless inside a room at the lodge circulated on social media.

Initial reports linked the gathering to a sign-out celebration involving Pharmacy students following the completion of their examinations.

However, the association’s clarification has cast doubt on claims that Pharmacy students were among the deceased.

The identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, while the cause has yet to be officially established.

Efforts to obtain confirmation and further details from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command had not responded to enquiries as of the time of filing this report.