…Suspends planned town hall event, seeks ban on sign-out celebrations

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has expressed deep grief over the passing on of four students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), who reportedly died during an off-campus sign-out party for one of their friends, describing it as a heartbreaking loss.

Mbah described the incident as a grievous loss, not only for the deceased’s immediate families and UNN, but to Enugu State as a whole, and called for a ban on sign-out menace among undergraduates, noting that it had brought too many sorrows to families and tertiary educational institution in the country.

This was contained in a press statement released by the Governor’s media aide, Mazi Uche Anichukwu, on Thursday.

“I received with rude shock and deep sense of loss the news of the off-campus sing-out party leading to the death of four students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and hospitalisation of six others.

“This is a grievous loss not only to the immediate families of the deceased and the university, but also to us as a state. Losing them in their prime and along with their promising future cuts as deeply as a sharp knife. We, therefore share in this grief and pray God to grant their families, friends, and the UNN community the equanimity to bear the heartbreaking loss.

“Our hearts go out to their parents in particular, who sacrificed personal comforts to sponsor their children through the university, but only to face this sad turn of events.

“As a government, we have ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths and will work closely with the university authorities and security agencies to get to the roots of the sad development and forestall a recurrence.

“In the meantime, I have suspended my scheduled town hall meeting with the UNN community on Friday, November 13, 2026, as we join the university in mourning the dead.

“Going forward, we will work with the authorities of tertiary institutions to enforce a full ban on sign-out parties and other excessive celebrations, a trend that has cost more lives and brought more sorrows than joy to families and higher institutions of learning,” the governor stated.

Mbah also called for more enlightenment campaigns by relevant agencies and institutions on the consequences of drug use and abuse.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased.

The Enugu State Police Command has launched an investigation into the deaths of four persons reportedly identified as students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), following an alleged academic sign-out celebration at Hilltop Hostel, Nsukka.

The development comes amid reports of the mysterious deaths of fresh UNN graduates shortly after their graduation celebrations, throwing the university community into mourning.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the victims, comprising two males and two females, reportedly took ill after allegedly consuming alcoholic beverages during the gathering on Wednesday, November 11.

According to the police, six other students were also rushed to the hospital for medical attention, while the four victims were confirmed dead on arrival.

The Command disclosed that alcoholic beverages were recovered from the scene, while the remains of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

It said investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the actual cause of the deaths.

“The Command is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish the cause of the deaths. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” the statement said.

The police urged the public to await the outcome of the investigation as efforts continue to unravel what led to the deaths.

The statement was signed by SP Daniel Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, and dated November 12, 2026.

The Enugu State Tourism Board has denied allegations that Governor Peter Mbah directed it to deny former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) the use of Michael Okpara Square for a political rally.

The Executive Chairman of the board, Dame Rita Mbah, said the governor had no involvement in the decision, insisting that the facility was already fully booked for government and other activities during the Christmas and New Year period.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Mbah described reports alleging that the governor ordered the rejection of Obi and the NDC’s request as false and misleading.

She explained that a representative of the group approached the manager of Michael Okpara Square, in her presence, to request the use of the facility but was informed that all available dates had already been booked weeks earlier.

According to her, the representative was subsequently informed of the booking situation but insisted on submitting the request letter.

She alleged that the individual practically forced the receipt of the letter on her and resorted to verbal abuse, which continued even after she disengaged from the conversation.

The Tourism Board chairman added that more than five persons witnessed the incident.

Mbah further explained that other applicants, including religious organisations, had also been unable to secure the facility because their applications were submitted after the available dates had been booked.

She maintained that the decision was strictly based on the existing booking schedule and had nothing to do with the political affiliation of the applicants.

“I received no instruction or communication from Governor Mbah concerning the request. The matter was handled strictly in accordance with the facility’s existing booking schedule,” she stated.

The chairman described the allegation that Governor Mbah personally directed the rejection of the request as an attempt to manufacture a political controversy.

“It is unacceptable to manufacture a story, attribute it to the Governor and present it as fact without a single documentary evidence to substantiate the claim. The public deserves facts, not fabricated narratives designed to whip up political sentiments,” she added.

She expressed confidence that her clarification would put the circumstances surrounding the request in their proper perspective.

The statement was signed by Dame Rita Mbah, Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Tourism Board, and dated November 12, 2026.U