A recent graduate from the Department of Quantity Surveying at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ifunanya Miracle, known as Bliss, tragically lost her life while trying to escape a robbery prank on the school’s premises in Awka, Anambra State.
Her friend, Peace, a student in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, was also involved in the incident and sustained injuries.
She was subsequently taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
According to The PUNCH, Ifunanya operated a Point-of-Sale business on campus during her studies. On the evening of Sunday, June 9, 2024, she closed her business and boarded a tricycle with Peace.
As they were traveling, a fellow passenger attempted to rob them.
A student, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, explained that the two friends jumped out of the moving tricycle in a desperate bid to escape. While Peace survived with injuries, Miracle hit her head on the ground and succumbed to her injuries.
The student recounted, “Miracle just graduated and did PoS business on campus. The incident occurred around 7 pm on June 9, 2024. She kept her business items under the staircase in our compound. We suddenly heard she was dead. She had just put her stuff back under the staircase on Monday.”
The student added, “She was on a tricycle with her friend when a passenger demanded their phones. In their attempt to escape, Miracle jumped out and hit her head on the road. By the time she was taken to the hospital, she was already dead. Her friend, who also jumped, is still in the hospital with injuries.”
Another student mentioned that the man who demanded their belongings later claimed it was a prank, and reportedly turned himself in to the police.
The student remarked, “We heard he claimed it was a prank. How can someone prank on a moving tricycle? The lady died due to the recklessness of so-called pranksters. The university hasn’t addressed it, which is concerning. Miracle just had her convocation.”
Spokesperson for the school, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed the incident, stating that the prankster, a final-year student, would face disciplinary actions after Miracle’s burial.
He said, “The university is aware. It was a very expensive prank, not a robbery. The students were told to bring their phones, they didn’t know it was a prank, so they jumped. One died, and one survived. The families have met, and we want the burial to proceed before disciplinary measures are taken. The incident is regrettable, and the prankster’s family will handle the funeral and hospital bills. We warn against dangerous pranks that can lead to such tragedies.”
