The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has denied widespread reports that a student of the institution died after jumping from a three-storey building near the campus.

The university, in a statement signed by its Chief Safety Officer, Ken Chukwurah, clarified that the deceased individual, whose death was captured in a viral video making rounds on social media, was not a student but an electrician named Kenneth Oyeaka Rapuchukwu.

“Further to the viral video on UNIZIK student that jumped down from a three story building and died, our investigation indicates that deceased is not a student but an artisan,” the university said.

The tragic incident reportedly occurred around 8pm on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Seat of Wisdom Lodge, Royal Kitchen Junction, Ifite, a location situated close to the university’s main gate in Awka.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud noise before discovering the victim’s body lying in a pool of blood.

It was learnt that his roommate, found in their room shortly after the incident, appeared to be under the influence of the same substance and was incoherent.

“On 5th June 2025, at about 2000 hours, at Seat of Wisdom lodge, Royal Kitchen Junction, Ifite in Awka LGA, one Kenneth Oyeaka Rapuchukwu, aged 28, an electrician from Aguleri, plunged from the third storey of the building and died at the scene,” Chukwurah stated.

Multiple eyewitnesses had told SaharaReporters that the man jumped “headfirst” from the top floor of the building after reportedly consuming an illicit substance.

Early reports had claimed that he was a student of the university, triggering panic and speculation online.

The university’s Safety Department dismissed those reports as inaccurate, citing preliminary investigations that linked the deceased and his roommate to drug use before the fall.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased and his roommate, identified as Chibuzor (surname unknown), were allegedly consuming a suspected illicit substance prior to the incident.

It was reported that while under the influence of the substance, Rapuchukwu jumped headfirst from the third floor, resulting in his immediate death,” the statement added.

SaharaReporters gathered that the deceased’s body had been deposited at Amaku mortuary.

“The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Amaku mortuary, while Chibuzor is currently in custody at B-Division Police Station to assist with the ongoing investigation,” the statement added.