CITIZENS COMPASS— A student of Art Education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nsukka, Enugu State, on Friday, narrated how his colleagues died at a graduation party outside the campus.
The 24-year-old narrated his experience after he narrowly escaped death at the event that claimed the lives of four students, has recounted his frightening experience, describing how he regained consciousness hours after collapsing to find his friends lying motionless.
The student narrated his ordeal in an interview with Vanguard, explaining that he suddenly lost consciousness during a gathering organised by a friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
According to the survivor, about 10 people attended the party at the host’s residence in Hilltop, Nsukka, where two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moment and Best, were purchased for the celebration.
The gathering, which started around 11:30 a.m., featured a Truth and Dare game as participants shared the drinks.
He recalled that trouble began when one of the guests started vomiting. He helped the individual to the toilet before returning to clean the vomit on the floor.
However, shortly afterwards, he suddenly lost consciousness.
“After that, I suddenly lost consciousness. However, I noticed that my legs had become stiff, and I could no longer walk,” he recounted.
The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., several hours after collapsing, and heard someone making a remark about a ghost shaking.
When he managed to look into the parlour, he was confronted with a horrifying sight: the host and other participants were lying motionless on the floor.
He immediately contacted a friend, who came to the residence, observed their condition and left. The survivor expressed disappointment that another person who reportedly arrived at the scene allegedly resorted to recording the victims instead of helping to secure medical assistance.
He subsequently contacted another friend who helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding the gathering, the survivor 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.
He dismissed suggestions that the students might have consumed illicit drugs, insisting that alcohol was the only substance taken.
“We didn’t smoke, and there was no drug there. We drank 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 student disclosed that his legs remained stiff, although his condition was gradually improving. He added that UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Otuanya, had visited him, alongside local government representatives, friends and police officers.
He said police investigators asked whether the participants had disagreements with anyone or suspected that the drinks might have been tampered with.
However, he maintained that he had no reason to suspect the host, describing him as someone who did not harbour grudges. He also recalled seeing the host among those lying motionless when he regained consciousness.
Reflecting on the experience, the survivor said the incident had completely changed his attitude towards 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 circumstances surrounding the deaths and the condition that left the students unconscious remain matters requiring thorough investigation by the relevant authorities.
