A 24-year-old survivor of the party in Nsukka, Enugu State, where four students died and six others were hospitalised, has recounted how he lost consciousness while cleaning up after another attendee vomited during the gathering.
The survivor, a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), also disclosed that it was his first time consuming alcohol, adding that he regretted the experience and would not drink again.
He made the disclosure in an interview with Vanguard on Friday, explaining that he attended the gathering after being invited by a friend identified as David, who organised the party to celebrate the completion of his examinations.
According to him, the gathering began at about 11:30 p.m. at an apartment in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with approximately 10 people in attendance.
He said the participants played Truth or Dare while sharing two bottles of alcoholic drinks, identified as Magic Moments and Best, which were served in small quantities.
Recounting how he collapsed, the survivor said one of the male participants vomited during the gathering, prompting him to help clean up.
He explained that he took the individual to the bathroom and later used a rag to clean the curtain that had been soiled.
“When I finished, I went to drop the bucket of water. I lost consciousness there,” he said.
The survivor disclosed that the gathering took place in the parlour of a one-bedroom apartment, where the windows were shut and a fan was switched on. He added that an air conditioner in the apartment was not in use, while a generator was running outside the corridor, close to where they were.
He said the drinks were shared in small quantities because the group had only two bottles.
Speaking about his health, the survivor said he was recovering but still had difficulty using his legs due to stiffness.
He also confirmed that he was receiving medical attention and that the university’s Vice-Chancellor had visited the affected students alongside some local government representatives and friends.
Reflecting on the incident, he said he was still struggling to understand what happened, particularly because it was his first experience consuming alcohol.
He added that he could not determine whether the drinks had been contaminated, despite questions from people about the possibility of poisoning.
The survivor also disclosed that police officers questioned him about whether he suspected anyone of attempting to harm him, but he said he had no such suspicion.
The incident, which occurred during an off-campus gathering in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, left four students dead and six others hospitalised.
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed that the deceased comprised two males and two females, who were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The police said alcoholic beverages were recovered from the scene and that the bodies had been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy as investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The university subsequently confirmed the deaths and announced three days of mourning, during which academic and social activities were suspended.
