A 24-year-old student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), who survived an off-campus party that reportedly claimed the lives of four students, has narrated his frightening experience and how he regained consciousness to find his friends lying motionless on the floor.
The survivor, an Art Education student, said he suddenly lost consciousness during the gathering and remained unconscious for several hours before waking up at about 9 p.m. to discover the tragic situation.
According to his account, the party was organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
He explained that the host purchased two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moment and Best, which they took to his residence at Hilltop, Nsukka, where approximately 10 people gathered for the celebration.
The gathering reportedly began around 11:30 a.m., with the participants sharing the drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting the incident, the survivor said one of the participants suddenly began vomiting during the party. He reportedly helped the individual to the toilet and asked him to clean himself up before returning to clean the vomit on the floor.
However, shortly afterwards, he suddenly lost consciousness.
He said he initially noticed that his legs had become stiff and that he could no longer walk before eventually collapsing.
He recalled that when he regained consciousness around 9 p.m., he heard someone making a remark about a ghost shaking. He then managed to look towards the parlour, where he saw the host and other participants lying motionless on the floor.
The survivor said he immediately contacted a friend, who came to the residence, observed the situation and left.
He expressed disappointment over the actions of another individual who reportedly arrived at the scene and began recording them instead of making efforts to secure emergency assistance.
He later contacted another friend, who helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka for treatment.
Providing further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident, the survivor said everyone had been inside the parlour, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was operating outside in the corridor. A fan was also switched on inside the room.
He dismissed suggestions that the students might have consumed illicit substances, insisting that alcohol was the only substance taken during the gathering.
According to him, the group had only two bottles of alcoholic drinks for approximately 10 people, meaning that each participant consumed a relatively small quantity.
He maintained that nobody smoked or took drugs during the party.
The survivor also disclosed that his legs remained stiff after the incident, although his condition was gradually improving.
He added that UNN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Otuanya, had visited him to assess his condition. Representatives of the local government, friends and police officers had also visited.
He said police investigators questioned him about whether the participants had disagreements with anyone or suspected that somebody might have tampered with their drinks.
Addressing the speculation surrounding possible poisoning, he said several people had asked whether the drinks were deliberately contaminated.
However, he maintained that he had no reason to suspect the host, describing him as someone who did not harbour grudges against people.
He also recalled seeing the host among those lying on the floor when he regained consciousness. According to him, the host’s brother later confirmed that he was receiving treatment at Bishop Shanahan Hospital.
Reflecting on the frightening experience, the student said the incident had completely changed his attitude towards alcohol consumption, adding that it was the first time he had experienced such a condition after drinking.
He vowed never to consume alcohol again.
The incident has raised concerns about the possible dangers associated with operating generators in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
Generators produce carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless poisonous gas that can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and death when inhaled.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possible explanation for the symptoms described by the survivor, particularly given the reported generator operation and closed windows and doors. However, the exact cause of the tragedy would need to be established through medical findings and police investigations.