Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, the immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of Akwa Ibom State University, has reportedly died at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Enugu State following allegations that he was administered fake drugs and denied timely access to proper medical treatment.
Daniel, who was serving as a corps member, reportedly complained of a headache while at the orientation camp and was given medication. However, his condition allegedly deteriorated after taking the drugs, prompting him to request medical attention outside the camp.
According to the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the former student leader died before he could be taken to a hospital, following an alleged delay in obtaining the necessary approval for his transfer.
Afeez disclosed the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death in a statement, expressing concern over the allegations and calling for a thorough investigation to establish what happened.
“According to the information available to us, Comrade Daniel complained of a headache and was administered some medication. Unfortunately, his condition reportedly worsened after taking the drugs,” Afeez said.
“He requested to be taken to the hospital, but the necessary approval allegedly came too late, and he passed away before he could be taken for medical attention.”
The NANS president further alleged that a doctor subsequently identified the medication administered to Daniel as fake, raising additional questions about the quality and safety of drugs available at the orientation camp and the medical response to his deteriorating condition.
“We were further informed that the doctor later identified the drugs administered to him as fake. These are deeply troubling allegations that require a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his tragic death,” Afeez said.
The allegations have raised concerns about the standard of healthcare provided to corps members at NYSC orientation camps, particularly the procedures for responding to medical emergencies and obtaining approval for treatment at external health facilities.
Questions have also emerged over whether Daniel received appropriate medical attention when his condition worsened and whether the medication allegedly administered to him was properly verified before use.
However, the allegations concerning counterfeit medication and delays in securing hospital treatment have yet to be independently established. A thorough investigation would be necessary to determine the exact cause of Daniel’s death, the circumstances surrounding the treatment he received, and whether any individual or institution bears responsibility.
Afeez described Daniel’s death as a devastating loss to his family, colleagues, comrades and the wider student community, noting that the former SUG president had been an important figure within the student movement.
He also drew attention to the broader problem of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria, warning that the alleged circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death underscored the urgent need for accountability and stronger safeguards to protect lives.
“The menace of fake drugs continues to pose a grave threat to lives in our society, and this tragic incident underscores the urgent need for accountability, proper medical care, and stronger measures to protect the lives of our young people,” Afeez said.
The NANS president said the association was mourning the former student leader and would communicate further actions and its official position on the matter as more information became available.
The association also extended its condolences to Daniel’s family, the Akwa Ibom State University community, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, the NYSC community, and his fellow corps members.
ChroniclesReporters contacted the NYSC Enugu State Secretariat for comments on Daniel’s death, the allegation that he had been administered counterfeit drugs, and claims that approval to take him to a hospital was delayed after his condition deteriorated.
However, as of the time this report was filed, the Secretariat had neither responded to a message sent to its contact number nor answered calls placed to the number.
The circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death, including the alleged administration of fake medication and the reported delay in obtaining external medical care, remain matters requiring clarification from the NYSC authorities and a comprehensive investigation.