UNN Tragedy: Mbah orders probe into students death, moves to ban sign-out party

By Goodness Ndukuba Awka

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has suspended his scheduled town hall meeting with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) community following the deaths of four students at an off-campus party.

The governor also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and announced plans to work with authorities of tertiary institutions to enforce a ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations across the state.

The incident reportedly left four students dead and six others hospitalised, throwing the university community into mourning.

Mbah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, describing the deaths as a heartbreaking loss to the affected families, the university and the state.

His position was contained in a statement by his media aide, Mazi Uche Anichukwu.

In the statement, the governor lamented that the students had lost their lives in their prime, cutting short promising futures. He also extended his condolences to their parents, friends and the entire UNN community.

“I received with rude shock and deep sense of loss the news of the off-campus sign-out party leading to the death of four students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and hospitalisation of six others.

“This is a grievous loss not only to the immediate families of the deceased and the university, but also to us as a state. Losing them in their prime and along with their promising future cuts as deeply as a sharp knife.

“We, therefore, share in this grief and pray God to grant their families, friends and the UNN community the equanimity to bear the heartbreaking loss.

“Our hearts go out to their parents in particular, who sacrificed personal comforts to sponsor their children through the university, only to face this sad turn of events,” he said.

The governor said the state government had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

He added that the government would collaborate with the university authorities and security agencies to establish the cause of the incident and prevent a recurrence.

“In the meantime, I have suspended my scheduled town hall meeting with the UNN community on Friday, November 13, 2026, as we join the university in mourning the dead.

“Going forward, we will work with the authorities of tertiary institutions to enforce a full ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations, a trend that has cost more lives and brought more sorrows than joy to families and higher institutions of learning,” Mbah stated.

The governor also called on relevant government agencies and tertiary institutions to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers and consequences of drug use and abuse.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their families, friends and the university community the strength to bear the loss.