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A 24-year-old student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has narrated how he regained consciousness after several hours of unconsciousness during an off-campus party that claimed the lives of four students in Nsukka, Enugu State.
The survivor, an Art Education student, said he woke up at about 9 p.m. and discovered his friends lying motionless on the floor. According to him, the party was organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
He said the host bought two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moment and Best, which they took to his residence at Hilltop, Nsukka, where about 10 people gathered for the celebration. The gathering reportedly began at about 11:30 a.m., with participants sharing the drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting the incident, the survivor said one of the participants started vomiting, prompting him to take the person to the toilet before returning to clean the vomit on the floor. He said he suddenly lost consciousness shortly afterwards, adding that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before passing out.
He said: “When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that a ghost was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor.”
The survivor said he contacted a friend who came to the house but left after seeing their condition. He expressed disappointment that another person who arrived at the scene allegedly resorted to recording them instead of seeking help. He later contacted another friend, who assisted in conveying them to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other hospitals in Nsukka for medical attention.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, he said the doors and windows were shut while a generator was operating outside in the corridor. A fan was also switched on inside the room. The student dismissed suggestions that illicit drugs were consumed at the gathering, insisting that alcohol was the only substance taken.
“We didn’t smoke, and there was no drug there. We took only alcohol. We had just two bottles for about 10 people, so the quantity each person drank was very little, not even up to a quarter of a party cup,” he said.
He disclosed that his legs remained stiff but his condition was gradually improving. The survivor added that UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Otuanya, had visited him, alongside local government representatives, friends and police officers. He said the police questioned him about possible disagreements among the participants and whether anyone might have tampered with their drinks.
However, he maintained that the host was not known for keeping malice and that he also saw him lying on the floor when he regained consciousness. He said the host’s brother later confirmed that he was receiving treatment at Bishop Shanahan Hospital. Describing the incident as frightening, the student said the experience had changed his attitude towards alcohol consumption.
“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. The incident has renewed concerns over the dangers of operating generators in poorly ventilated environments, as generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas capable of causing unconsciousness and death.
