Victoria Mbangwa
A male undergraduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, reportedly died after jumping from the third floor of a private student lodge, allegedly under the influence of illicit substances.
The tragic incident occurred at a lodge near Royal Kitchen Junction, Ifite-Awka, in Awka South Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses say the student, whose identity has been withheld pending notification of next of kin, had earlier consumed substances suspected to be the dangerous methamphetamine derivative locally known as “mkpurummiri.”
Witnesses rushed to the scene after hearing a loud thud and found the student lying critically injured. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but was confirmed dead shortly after arrival.
One of the lodge residents recounted, “We suddenly heard a loud thud yesterday (Thursday) evening, prompting a rush to the scene where the young man was found lying in a pool of his own blood, critically injured.”
Further compounding the tragedy, the victim’s roommate was found in a disoriented and incoherent state inside their room, allegedly affected by the same substance. He is currently in custody and will be questioned once he regains full consciousness.
UNIZIK Chief Safety Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the incident, clarifying that it occurred in a private off-campus residence. “We are still investigating to be sure of what happened, how it happened and the proper identity of the victim,” he said.
The case has sparked renewed calls for greater awareness, surveillance, and support systems to address substance abuse among university students across Nigeria.
