UNIZIK Initiates Full-Scale Investigation into Law Student’s Death After Hostel Lockout Denied Her Lifesaving Insulin
The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka has formally commenced an investigation into the heartbreaking death of Miss Isabella Ajana, a 100-level Law student, who tragically passed away after allegedly being locked out of her hostel room and denied access to her essential medication.
Ajana, a patient living with Type 1 diabetes, died on Friday, July 4, at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital. She had been admitted four days earlier after developing complications caused by the prolonged absence of insulin, which was reportedly locked inside her room.
The tragic incident began on Friday, June 27, when Ajana and her roommates accidentally left their room key inside their apartment at Emalda Hostel, a private hostel located near UNIZIK’s campus. Efforts to recover a spare key proved unsuccessful as the custodian was reportedly out of town. As her condition deteriorated without access to her medication, Ajana’s health rapidly worsened.
ALSO READ : University Admission Cut Off Mark Set at 150
By the time she was finally able to retrieve her insulin on Monday, severe symptoms had already set in. She was initially rushed to the UNIZIK Medical Centre and later referred to the teaching hospital due to the severity of her condition. Despite initial signs of recovery by Thursday, July 3, she sadly passed away the next day. Official confirmation of her death reached the university community on July 8 after her mother informed a close friend.
The tragic loss of Ajana has ignited outrage among students, who criticized what they termed as poor institutional emergency response and welfare support systems within the university community.
In response, UNIZIK’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Njelita Louis, confirmed the incident in a statement released Thursday. He assured the public that the university is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Ajana’s death.
“The attention of the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), has been drawn to this distressing incident. We are working diligently to uncover the full details of this unfortunate event,” the statement read.
According to the university, the investigation will examine the management of Emalda Hostel and assess existing student welfare and emergency response protocols. Louis urged for calm, pledging that transparency would be maintained throughout the inquiry.
“The university is committed to a thorough, transparent investigation and will keep the public updated on its progress and findings. We encourage the campus community to maintain peace and avoid any disruptive actions,” he added.
Ajana’s untimely death follows a recent tragedy involving a 300-level Microbiology student, Tochi, who collapsed and died while playing football. These incidents have intensified concerns regarding UNIZIK’s emergency healthcare preparedness and student safety measures .
