The Senate on Thursday ordered an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps member, Etimbuk Daniel, at the Enugu State orientation camp, as well as the state of medical facilities and emergency response services in NYSC camps nationwide.
The probe is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death and determine whether any lapses occurred in the provision of medical care at the camp.
The investigation will be conducted by the Senate Committees on Police Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Youth Development and Health, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey, who called for an urgent review of medical services in NYSC orientation camps across the country.
Bassey expressed concern over “the sudden and untimely passing of the corps member, describing him as a vibrant, patriotic young Nigerian and a shining light of his community who had only set out to serve the country.”
He warned that the incident raised broader concerns about the adequacy of healthcare services available to corps members undergoing the mandatory national service programme.
“The incident is not isolated, but highlights a recurring pattern of systemic negligence, poor medical infrastructure, and absence of qualified emergency personnel and rapid referral protocols across NYSC camps, underlining that the government owes a duty of care to young graduates mobilized away from their homes to serve the nation.”
The senator told his colleagues that Daniel had embarked on national service with high hopes and a commitment to contribute to Nigeria’s development before his untimely death.
He said the circumstances surrounding the incident required urgent legislative scrutiny, particularly amid allegations of medical negligence, inadequate healthcare infrastructure and the absence of effective emergency response and referral systems in orientation camps.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Bassey said the security and welfare of the people remained the primary purpose of government.
He argued that the government and relevant authorities had a duty to protect corps members and ensure that they had access to timely and adequate medical care throughout their national service.
Bassey lamented that Daniel’s death had plunged his family, associates, the student community and the people of Akwa Ibom State into mourning, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the incident must be thoroughly investigated.
The Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, seconded the motion.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, expressed condolences to Daniel’s family, Bassey and the people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
Ningi urged the relevant committees to make concrete recommendations and identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Senate subsequently observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased.
Daniel, the immediate past Students’ Union Government President of Akwa Ibom State University, reportedly died at the NYSC orientation camp in Enugu State following allegations that he was administered fake drugs and did not receive timely medical attention.
Reports indicated that Daniel complained of a headache at the camp and was given medication, but his condition allegedly deteriorated afterwards.
In a statement issued a few days ago, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Akinteye Afeez, said Daniel had requested to be taken to a hospital after his condition worsened. However, approval for further medical attention allegedly came too late, and he died before he could be taken to the hospital.
The Senate’s intervention comes amid renewed concerns about the adequacy of medical facilities, the availability of qualified health personnel and emergency referral arrangements at NYSC orientation camps, where thousands of graduates undergo military-style drills, physical activities and other camp programmes before deployment to their places of primary assignment.