Tragedy struck late Thursday near Royal Kitchen Junction in Ifite-Awka, Awka South LGA of Anambra State, as a male student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) lost his life after jumping from the balcony of a three-storey lodge.
Eyewitnesses say the student, whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, allegedly consumed a substance suspected to be mkpurummiri before the incident. He was a tenant in the lodge, which is located close to the university campus.
“We heard a loud thud and rushed out, only to see the young man lying in a pool of blood,” one resident said. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
Shockingly, the student’s roommate was found in their room in an incoherent state, also believed to be under the influence of the same substance. He has since been taken into custody for questioning, pending full recovery.
UNIZIK’s Chief Safety Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. “It happened in a private lodge outside the school premises. We are still working to verify what really happened and identify the victim,” he said.
Authorities are now probing the circumstances surrounding the death and the source of the suspected drug.
