A fresh graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ifunanya Miracle, has lost her life while trying to escape what seemed to be a robbery on the school’s premises in Awka, Anambra State. The tragic event occurred on June 9, 2024, and involved Miracle and her friend, Peace, a student of the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry.
On the evening of the incident, Miracle had just closed her Point-of-Sale (PoS) business and boarded a tricycle with Peace. During their ride, a fellow passenger demanded that they hand over their phones. Believing it to be a robbery, the two friends attempted to flee by jumping out of the moving tricycle. Unfortunately, Miracle hit her head on the ground and died from her injuries, while Peace sustained various injuries and was rushed to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Witnesses from the university community expressed shock and sorrow over the incident. A student who lives near where Miracle conducted her PoS business shared that Miracle often stored her business materials under a staircase in their compound. The student recounted hearing about Miracle’s death shortly after she had last seen her dropping off her business supplies.
Details of the incident revealed a twist: the man who demanded their phones claimed it was a prank gone wrong. It was reported that he later turned himself in to the police, insisting he had not intended to rob them but to prank them. However, the prank had tragic consequences.
Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, the spokesperson for Nnamdi Azikiwe University, confirmed the incident and clarified that it was indeed a prank. He expressed regret over the unfortunate outcome, highlighting that such pranks have severe consequences. He assured that the prankster, a final-year student, would face disciplinary measures after Miracle’s burial. The university also confirmed that the families of both the prankster and the victims met with university officials and reached an agreement. The prankster’s family agreed to cover the funeral expenses of Miracle and the hospital bills for Peace.