Four students die at post-exam party in Nigeria

Four Nigerian students, comprising two men and two women, have died following a celebration in the south-eastern town of Nsukka. The group had gathered to mark the conclusion of their final examinations when they reportedly fell ill after drinking alcohol.

The University of Nigeria Nsukka has initiated a three-day period of mourning, leading to the suspension of all social and academic functions. Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya confirmed the institution received a distress call at 22:00 on Wednesday, prompting the dispatch of security staff to a gathering at Praise Lodge, located in the Hilltop district outside the university campus.

Regarding the circumstances of the deaths, Professor Ortuanya stated, "The preliminary investigation and interim report point to alleged alcohol abuse or drug paraphernalia and things like that. But we are not conclusive on those matters." He further described the event as "tragic and painful," adding, "As a community, we mourn, not just alone, we mourn with the families, the parents that have suffered these years to train the men and women in their studies."

In response to the incident, the Vice-Chancellor has prohibited future 'signing-out' events, which are traditional parties held by students finishing their degrees. Police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe confirmed that officers have recovered alcoholic beverages from the location and moved the bodies to a mortuary for autopsies to determine the cause of death.

The tragedy occurs during a national effort by the food and drug regulator, Nafdac, to address the distribution of adulterated alcohol. Recent investigations into similar cases in Ondo State revealed that drinks contaminated with methanol resulted in over 150 reported cases, including 48 deaths and more than 80 hospitalisations.