‘I will never touch alcohol again in my life’- Survivor of UNN party tragedy

A survivor of the tragic incident at an off campus apartment of a fresh graduate of the University of Nigeria, (UNN) Nsukka, has vowed never to touch alcohol ever again.

Speaking from his sickbed at the hospital, the 24-year-old art education student of UNN said it was the first time he would drink alcohol.

“This was the first time I took alcohol and experienced such a condition. I think this will be the last time I will ever take alcohol,” he said.

However, her stressed that there was nothing to suggest that it was the alcohol they took that led to the tragedy.

He recounted how he suddenly collapsed and regained consciousness hours later to find his colleagues motionless on the floor.

Truth and Dare celebration turns into a nightmare

Speaking from his hospital bed in Nsukka, the survivor explained that the gathering was hosted on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, by a friend identified as David to celebrate completing his final examinations.

According to him, about 10 students assembled at David’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka around 11:30 a.m., sharing two bottles of alcoholic drinks (Magic Moment and Best) while playing a game of Truth and Dare.

However, the mood turned alarming shortly after one of the attendees began vomiting.

“During the party, one of the participants started vomiting. I took him to the toilet and asked him to clean himself up. I then came out to clean the vomit on the floor,” the survivor recounted.

“After that, I suddenly lost consciousness. However, I noticed that my legs had become stiff, and I could no longer walk.”

Waking up at 9:00 p.m. to motionless friends and bystander apathy

The student revealed that he remained unconscious until around 9:00 p.m., when he awoke to the sound of someone remarking that “a ghost was shaking,” only to look into the parlour and discover the host and other attendees lying unresponsive on the floor.

Unable to walk due to stiffness in his legs, he frantically called for help. He expressed deep disappointment that the first friend who arrived fled upon seeing the scene, while another individual who showed up began filming the unconscious victims instead of rushing them for medical care. 

Eventually, another friend arrived and helped transport the victims to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.

Survivor denies drug use

Dismissing widespread speculation that the victims consumed illicit substances, the survivor maintained that no one smoked or took drugs at the gathering, noting that the two bottles of alcohol were shared among roughly 10 people—amounting to less than a quarter of a party cup per person.

Crucially, he disclosed that all doors and windows to the parlour were shut during the gathering while a power generator was running outside in the corridor, with only an indoor fan switched on. He also ruled out intentional poisoning by the host, noting that David was among those found unconscious and is currently receiving treatment at Bishop Shanahan Hospital.

VC visits survivor as three-day mourning continues

The survivor confirmed that UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, alongside police investigators and local government officials, had visited him to check on his recovery and gather statements. 

Vowing never to touch alcohol again after the traumatic ordeal, he noted that his legs remained stiff though his condition was gradually stabilizing.

Meanwhile, UNN management has declared a three-day mourning period across the university, suspending academic and social activities while security agencies continue forensic investigations into the tragedy.

Read Also: Police probe mysterious death of US-based bizman in Ikoyi, Lagos hotel