Ifunanya Miracle, a fresh graduate of the Department of Quantity Surveying at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK has tragically lost her life in an unfortunate incident involving a prank that went terribly wrong.
Ifunanya, also known as Bliss, and her friend Peace, a student in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, were returning home in a tricycle when they were approached by a fellow passenger.
The man allegedly demanded their phones, leading them to believe they were being robbed.
In a desperate attempt to escape, both Ifunanya and Peace jumped out of the moving tricycle.
Tragically, Ifunanya hit her head on the ground and succumbed to her injuries shortly after being taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital.
Peace survived but sustained significant injuries and remains hospitalized.
A student witness, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the events: “Miracle had just closed her Point-of-Sale business for the day and was heading home.
“We heard that during the ride, a passenger threatened them, causing them to jump out of the vehicle. Unfortunately, Miracle hit her head and did not survive.”
The supposed assailant later turned himself in to the police, claiming that the robbery attempt was merely a prank.
This revelation has sparked outrage among students and staff, questioning the intentions behind such a dangerous act.
Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, the university spokesperson, confirmed the incident in a statement obtained on Tuesday
He stated that the prankster, a final-year student, would face disciplinary actions following Ifunanya’s burial.
He said: “The university is fully aware of the incident. It was not a robbery but a very expensive joke. The students were asked to bring their phones, but they didn’t know it was a prank. Then they jumped, one died and the other survived.
“The families of the victims and that of the senior student who played a prank on the victims have met with us and it was established that this was a prank.
“The families have reached some agreement and we want the burial process to take place before the student who pranked them faces disciplinary action.
“It was an unfortunate incident; the school is sorry, the student who pranked them is sorry, and the family of the student in question will be responsible for the deceased victim’s funeral and the other student’s hospital bill. “We take this opportunity to warn students to avoid costly pranks that lead to death, the person will face the consequences.”
The university management has met with the families of both the victims and the prankster to discuss the next steps.
The prankster’s family has agreed to cover the funeral costs for Ifunanya and the medical expenses for peace.
