By Joyce Ekeh
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has ordered an investigation into the deaths of four students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), during an off-campus sign-out party, describing the incident as a painful loss to their families, the university and the state.
The governor also suspended his scheduled town hall meeting with the UNN community and announced plans to work with tertiary institutions to ban sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations among students.
The incident reportedly occurred during an off-campus party organised for one of the students, leaving four undergraduates dead and six others hospitalised.
In a press statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Mazi Uche Anichukwu, Mbah said he received the news with shock and sadness, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, their friends and the university 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,” he said.
Describing the incident as a grievous loss, the governor said the deaths had cut short the promising futures of young Nigerians whose families had made enormous sacrifices to give them university education.
“Our hearts go out to their parents in particular, who sacrificed personal comforts to sponsor their children through the university, but only to face this sad turn of events,” he stated.
Mbah disclosed that the state government had ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, adding that it would work with UNN authorities and security agencies to establish the facts and prevent a recurrence.
“As a government, we have ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths and will work closely with the university authorities and security agencies to get to the roots of the sad development and forestall a recurrence,” he said.
As a mark of respect for the deceased, the governor announced the suspension of his town hall meeting with the university community scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026.
He also expressed concern over the growing trend of elaborate sign-out celebrations among undergraduates, saying such activities had resulted in avoidable tragedies and brought sorrow to families and educational institutions.
Mbah said his administration would work with tertiary institutions to enforce a ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations.
“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,” he stated.
The governor further called for intensified public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers of drug use and abuse, urging relevant agencies and educational institutions to educate young people on the consequences of substance abuse.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for their families and the UNN community to bear the loss.
