The immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of Akwa Ibom State University, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel has reportedly died at the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps in Enugu State after allegedly being administered fake drugs and suffering delays in receiving proper medical treatment.
Daniel, who was among the corps members currently undergoing orientation, reportedly complained of a headache at the camp and was given medication, but his condition allegedly worsened afterwards.
According to the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the deceased requested to be taken to a hospital when his condition deteriorated, but the approval for proper medical attention allegedly came too late, and he died before he could be taken to the hospital.
Afeez, in a statement where he disclosed Daniel’s death, said he died before he could be taken to the hospital.
“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.”
Afeez further alleged that a doctor later identified the drugs administered to Daniel as fake.
He stressed that the allegation required proper investigation to establish exactly what happened and determine the circumstances surrounding his death.
“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 development has raised concerns over the quality of medical care available to corps members at NYSC orientation camps and the procedures for handling medical emergencies requiring treatment outside camp facilities.
Afeez said Daniel’s death had left the student community devastated, describing the incident as an irreparable loss to his family, colleagues, comrades and the wider student movement.
He also linked the alleged incident to the broader problem of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria, saying urgent measures were needed to prevent avoidable deaths.
“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.
Afeez said NANS was mourning the former SUG president and would communicate further actions and its official position on the matter after more facts emerge.
The student body extended its condolences to Daniel’s family, the Akwa Ibom State University community, Akwa Ibom State, the NYSC community and his colleagues.
As of the time this report was filed, the NYSC Secretariat in Enugu had neither responded to a message sent to its contact number nor answered calls to the number. (Sahara Reporters)