By Asaye Bankole
Shock and grief have reportedly gripped the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), community following reports that seven newly graduated Pharmacy students lost their lives during a celebration marking the completion of their academic programmes.
The tragic incident was said to have occurred on Wednesday night at Hilltop, an off-campus residential area in Nsukka, Enugu State, where some of the graduates had gathered for a sign-out party.
The students had reportedly taken to social media earlier to share pictures and videos of themselves celebrating the successful completion of their studies.
However, what was supposed to be a joyful occasion allegedly turned tragic after reports emerged that seven of the graduates had died during the gathering.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, described the incident as a devastating development for the university community, alleging that the students lost their lives during an indoor party organised to celebrate their graduation.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly show the lifeless bodies of some individuals lying inside a spacious room.
However, the authenticity of the videos and the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths have not been independently established.
The identities of the alleged victims have also not been officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, an unverified account attributed to another UNN student suggested that preliminary medical examinations indicated a possible drug overdose in the system of one of the survivors.
The claim has yet to be independently verified, and there is no official confirmation linking drug consumption to the reported incident.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Enugu State Police Command had not issued any official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The reported tragedy has raised concerns about safety at private celebrations and the dangers associated with substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Further details are expected as authorities investigate the incident and establish what actually happened.
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