MKPURU MMIRI Menace: UNIZIK Undergraduate Dies in Suspected Drug-Related Fall, Roommate Hospitalized

 

UNIZIK Community Gripped by Shock as Student Dies After Plunging from Building Amid Suspected Drug Use

A wave of sorrow swept through the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), following the sudden death of a male undergraduate who allegedly jumped from the top of a three-storey building after consuming a hard drug known locally as mkpuru mmiri.

The tragic event unfolded around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, near the bustling Royal Kitchen junction, a popular area located just a stone’s throw from the university’s main gate. Eyewitnesses described a loud, unsettling thud that shattered the relative calm of the evening, drawing attention from nearby residents and students.

As the noise drew people out of their rooms and shops, they were met with a harrowing scene: the lifeless body of a young man sprawled on the ground in a pool of his own blood. Despite frantic efforts to save him, the student was confirmed dead shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital.

Preliminary findings from eyewitness accounts suggest that the deceased may have been under the influence of mkpuru mmiri, a potent crystal methamphetamine variant that has gained notoriety in southeastern Nigeria for its devastating impact on youth.

Residents of the area who spoke to reporters recounted disturbing signs of the student’s behavior prior to the incident. Some noted erratic movements and loud, incoherent mutterings emanating from the room he shared with another student—his roommate—who was also later discovered to be under the influence of the same substance.

When neighbors entered the room after the fall, the roommate was found in a highly disoriented state, reportedly hallucinating and unresponsive to questions. Security personnel were alerted, and the student was taken into police custody for medical attention and further questioning once he stabilizes.

The lodge, a common off-campus residence for UNIZIK students, quickly became a scene of both panic and mourning. Students, many in disbelief, gathered outside the building, whispering in hushed tones and speculating on the victim’s identity and what could have driven him to such a fatal decision.

School officials have yet to make a formal statement regarding the incident. Efforts are reportedly underway to contact the family of the deceased, whose identity has been deliberately withheld pending official notification.

Law enforcement authorities have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. While foul play has not been ruled out, the strong presence of hard drugs in the room has drawn immediate concern from the police.

One senior police officer in Awka, who spoke under anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, confirmed that a substance suspected to be mkpuru mmiri was found in the room. “We are still examining the material and awaiting toxicology reports,” the officer stated. “But clearly, drugs are involved here, and we are taking this very seriously.”

A few students who knew the deceased described him as a quiet and reserved individual, not known for wild behavior. His sudden descent into drug use, if confirmed, has raised questions about the growing drug culture on Nigerian university campuses and the apparent ease with which such substances are accessed.

Public outcry over the spread of mkpuru mmiri has been building steadily, particularly in Anambra State, where community leaders and youth groups have been sounding the alarm over its devastating effects. This incident is expected to reignite that debate, with calls for stronger enforcement, education, and rehabilitation programs.

Social media platforms lit up late Thursday night as students shared condolences, shock, and horror over the tragic loss. Several users also used the opportunity to issue warnings to peers about the dangers of drug use, particularly synthetic substances like crystal meth, which are known to induce severe psychological and physical effects.

While investigations continue, the UNIZIK community remains in mourning, with many calling for urgent intervention from both the university administration and the state government to stem what some are calling a “silent epidemic” within the student population.

More updates are expected from both the police and university authorities in the coming days.