What was supposed to be a night of excitement and celebration turned tragic for students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) after a fatal road accident claimed two lives and left several others critically injured. The heartbreaking incident occurred on Friday night, as the students were on their way from Nsukka to Enugu to attend a concert headlined by Nigerian superstar Davido.
According to eyewitnesses, the students, filled with enthusiasm to see the award-winning singer perform live, set out in a commercial bus from Nsukka. Sadly, the journey ended in disaster along the Nsukka–Enugu Road when the bus crashed into a stationary trailer parked by the roadside.
How the Accident Happened
Reports from the scene indicate that the bus left Nsukka late at night, despite warnings about its faulty headlights. With poor visibility and a dimly lit highway, the driver reportedly struggled to navigate the dark road. The situation worsened when the bus rammed into a parked trailer, resulting in instant casualties.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the impact of the collision was devastating, throwing some passengers out of the bus and trapping others inside. Locals and passersby rushed to the scene to rescue the injured before emergency responders arrived.
Casualties and Victims Identified
Two persons reportedly died on the spot — the driver of the bus and a student identified as Chukwuebuka Nwankwo, who was a promising young undergraduate of the institution.
Among the injured were several students from different departments of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Two 300-level students were said to have been rendered unconscious, while a final-year student sustained a severe brain injury. Many others suffered varying degrees of wounds, including fractures and deep cuts.
Most of the injured victims were immediately rushed to Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, for urgent medical attention. Medical sources from the hospital confirmed that one of the victims was undergoing surgery for a fractured skull, while others remained under intensive care.
University Authorities React
Confirming the tragic development, UNN’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Egwu, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He assured that the university management is monitoring the situation closely and would release an official statement after obtaining full details.
He also extended condolences to the families of the deceased students and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. According to him, the tragedy has left the entire UNN community in shock and mourning.
Eyewitness Accounts and Student Reactions
Eyewitnesses and other UNN students who spoke about the incident described it as “a night of horror.” One of the survivors recounted that the bus had faulty headlights, but the group decided to proceed with the journey since it was already late and they did not want to miss the concert.
“We noticed the lights were dim, but we never imagined this could happen. The driver said he could manage it. A few minutes later, we heard a loud bang and everything went dark,” a survivor narrated tearfully.
Many students took to social media to mourn their colleagues, with hashtags like #PrayForUNNStudents and #DavidoConcertTragedy trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Safety Concerns and Lessons Learned
The incident has reignited concerns about road safety and student travel habits, especially for those attending off-campus events. Experts have emphasized the need for universities to enforce stricter safety measures when students travel in groups, including verifying vehicle conditions and discouraging night journeys with faulty vehicles.
Safety analysts have also called on relevant authorities to intensify enforcement against roadside parking of heavy-duty vehicles, which often contributes to fatal road crashes in Nigeria.
Calls for Justice and Preventive Action
Following the tragedy, student unions and campus groups are demanding a thorough investigation into the accident. They want answers about why the bus was allowed to depart despite clear safety risks and whether the driver’s negligence or poor road management played a role.
Some students are also urging the university to provide better awareness programs on travel safety, emergency response, and first aid training. Others are calling on local and federal road safety agencies to ensure stricter vehicle inspections, especially for night-time commercial trips involving students.
Community Mourning and Emotional Reactions
The Nsukka community has been thrown into mourning as candles and flowers were placed at different spots within the campus in memory of the deceased students. Emotional tributes have flooded social media platforms, with fellow students describing the victims as “bright, cheerful, and full of promise.”
One friend of the late Chukwuebuka Nwankwo wrote:
“You were always the life of the group. We were supposed to dance and laugh at the concert, not cry over your death. Rest easy, brother.”
Davido Fans and Management React
Though the concert went on as scheduled, news of the accident quickly spread among attendees and online communities. Davido’s fans have also expressed their grief, urging the singer to reach out to the victims’ families and support them. Many believe that honoring the victims’ memories would send a strong message about road safety and responsible travel.
