UNIZIK Confirms Death of Student Locked Out of Hostel, Launches Probe

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has confirmed the death of Isabella Ajana, a 100-level Law student, and has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding her tragic passing. Isabella died on Friday, July 4, at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital after nearly a week of hospitalisation. She had reportedly been admitted on Monday, June 30, following complications linked to her Type 1 Diabetes.

Sources say the events leading to her hospitalisation began on Friday, June 27, when Isabella and her roommates were locked out of their room at Emalda Hostel after accidentally leaving their key inside. Despite efforts to reach hostel management for the spare key, access was not granted until the following Monday. During the three-day wait, Isabella was unable to access her insulin and life-saving medication, which were locked in the room. Her condition reportedly deteriorated significantly by Sunday night.

One student familiar with the situation told reporters that the key custodian was out of the state and unavailable to assist over the weekend. After finally gaining access to the room on Monday morning, Isabella received her medication, but her health had already declined. She was rushed to the UNIZIK Medical Centre, which referred her to the teaching hospital for further treatment. Though she showed signs of recovery by Thursday, she tragically passed away the next day.

The university community was only made aware of Isabella’s death days later, after her mother informed a close family friend. The news has sparked widespread grief and outrage among students, with some alleging that hostel management demanded up to N40,000 before releasing the spare key. The hostel authorities have denied these claims.

UNIZIK’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Njelita Louis, issued a statement on Thursday, acknowledging Isabella’s death and confirming that the university is investigating the incident. According to the statement, the university is looking into the management, operations, and student welfare provisions at Emalda Hostel, which is privately owned and located near the university campus.

The university has pledged transparency throughout the investigation and assured the public that it is taking urgent steps to ensure student safety and prevent such tragedies in the future. In the meantime, the administration has urged calm and cooperation within the university community as the inquiry continues.