NAFDAC PROBES NYSC CORPS MEMBER’S DEATH IN ENUGU CAMP OVER SUSPECTED FAKE DRUGS

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Etimbuk Daniel, at the orientation camp in Awgu, Enugu State, following reports linking the incident to the use of substandard or falsified medicines.

The NAFDAC probes NYSC corps member death Enugu investigation is being conducted even as the agency dismissed claims that fake drugs caused the death, pointing instead to a preliminary clinical assessment of acute kidney injury .

THE DECEASED

The deceased, Etimbuk Daniel, was the immediate past President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Akwa Ibom State University .

His death at the camp sparked public concern over the safety and quality of medicines administered at NYSC camps across the country.

NAFDAC’S PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

In a statement issued by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC said its preliminary findings indicated that Daniel presented symptoms suggestive of severe malaria and had a history of peptic ulcer disease before his condition deteriorated .

According to the agency, Daniel was brought to the camp clinic by two fellow corps members at about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria .

He was stabilised with intramuscular antimalarial medication and other supportive drugs administered intravenously before being placed on bed rest for observation.

He was discharged the following morning with oral medications after his condition appeared sufficiently stable .

THE DETERIORATION

Daniel returned to the clinic on Saturday, October 10, complaining of pain in his right thigh and was advised to consult a physiotherapist.

However, his profuse sweating prompted the attending doctor to check his blood pressure, which was found to be critically low at 80/40mmHg .

He was subsequently stabilised with intravenous normal saline, but repeated monitoring showed recurrent episodes of low blood pressure. His deteriorating condition, combined with poor urine output despite adequate fluid resuscitation, prompted medical personnel to refer him to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State .

He was transported in an ambulance accompanied by another doctor but reportedly slipped into a coma around the time he arrived at the hospital.

Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

THE MISSED SYMPTOM

NAFDAC further disclosed that the camp clinic doctor was later informed by the deceased’s friend that the corps member had been vomiting for two days after his initial admission, a development the doctor was not aware of while treating him .

Based on the preliminary assessment, the doctors believed that the cause of death was acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock .

NAFDAC’S DEFENCE OF THE MEDICATIONS

To address speculation that the medicines administered at the camp clinic caused the death, NAFDAC said the same medications had been given to several other patients at the camp, who recovered after treatment .

It added that doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare workers at the clinic had also prescribed and personally used the medications at different times .

Nevertheless, the agency said the circumstances surrounding the death required further investigation, including laboratory analysis of the collected samples .

THE SENATE’S INTERVENTION

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the corps member’s death .

The Red Chamber resolved to investigate the incident following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Aniekan Bassey, who called for a review of medical services in NYSC orientation camps nationwide .

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 .

WHY IT MATTERS

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The death of Etimbuk Daniel is a tragedy that has raised serious questions about the quality of medical care available at NYSC orientation camps.

NAFDAC’s preliminary findings suggest that the medicines administered were not the cause of death. But the agency has not yet concluded its investigation, and the laboratory analysis of the drug samples will be critical to establishing the facts.

For Daniel’s family, the investigation is the only path to understanding what happened to their son.

For the NYSC, it is a test of whether the medical services provided at camps are adequate to protect the thousands of young Nigerians who pass through them every year.

ValidViewNetwork reports that NAFDAC’s investigation continues. The Senate investigation is also underway.