Isabella Ajana, a 100-level law student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, tragically passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, after a series of unfortunate events stemming from being locked out of her hostel room. The incident began on Friday, June 27th, when Isabella and her roommates accidentally left their key inside their room at Emalda Hostel, a privately-owned accommodation within the university’s vicinity. Their attempts to contact hostel authorities for the spare key proved futile, as the key custodian was reportedly out of state and unavailable until Monday morning. This seemingly minor inconvenience turned into a life-threatening situation for Isabella, a Type 1 diabetic, as her essential insulin and medication were locked inside the room.
By Sunday night, Isabella’s health had deteriorated significantly due to the lack of access to her medication. Although she received some interim care, her condition remained precarious. The spare key was finally retrieved on Monday morning, allowing access to her insulin. However, despite administering the medication, her condition did not stabilize. She was rushed to the UNIZIK Medical Centre, which subsequently referred her to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital due to the severity of her condition. She received treatment there and showed signs of improvement by Thursday, only to tragically pass away the following day.
The news of Isabella’s death was not immediately made public, reportedly at the request of a family member. It wasn’t until Tuesday, July 8th, that her mother personally informed a close friend, leading to the widespread dissemination of the tragic news within the university community. The incident has sparked outrage and demands for accountability, with some sources, including Isabella’s roommates, alleging that the hostel management demanded a substantial sum of money, up to N40,000, before releasing the spare key. The university authorities have vehemently denied these allegations.
The university management, in a press statement released by Acting Director of Information and Public Relations/Protocol, Njelita Louis, confirmed Isabella’s death and announced an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The statement emphasized the university’s commitment to transparency and pledged to keep the community informed of the investigation’s progress and outcome. The university is specifically scrutinizing the operations, management, security, and student welfare practices at Emalda Hostel. This tragic event comes just days after another student death at UNIZIK, where a 300-level Microbiology student, identified as Tochi, collapsed and died while playing football. These two incidents have understandably heightened concerns about student safety and well-being within the university community.
The university’s statement urged calm and cooperation while the investigation is underway, reaffirming their dedication to maintaining a peaceful environment within the institution. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of readily available emergency procedures and responsive management in student accommodation, especially in cases involving students with specific medical needs. The delay in accessing essential medication for a Type 1 diabetic patient highlights a potentially fatal flaw in the hostel’s emergency protocols. This incident necessitates a thorough review of existing procedures and the implementation of measures to ensure such a tragic event is not repeated.
The allegations of a monetary demand for the spare key, regardless of their veracity, further compound the tragedy. If substantiated, these claims raise serious ethical and legal questions about the hostel management’s priorities and their potential culpability in Isabella’s death. Even if untrue, these allegations erode trust and create an atmosphere of suspicion. The university’s investigation must thoroughly address these claims to restore confidence and ensure accountability. The outcome of the investigation will be critical in determining the appropriate course of action and ensuring justice for Isabella and her grieving family. It will also serve as a crucial moment for the university to implement necessary changes to prevent future tragedies and prioritize the safety and well-being of its students.
