The immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of Akwa Ibom State University, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, has reportedly died at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Enugu State following allegations of fake medication and delayed access to hospital treatment.
Daniel, who was participating in the ongoing NYSC orientation exercise, reportedly complained of a headache and was given medication. His condition allegedly deteriorated after taking the drugs.
President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, disclosed the incident in a statement, alleging that Daniel’s request for hospital treatment was not granted in time.
“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 added that Daniel sought to be taken to a hospital as his condition deteriorated, but the necessary approval allegedly came too late.
“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 stated.
Afeez further alleged that a doctor subsequently identified the drugs administered to the deceased as fake, describing the claim as a serious matter requiring a thorough investigation.
“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,” he said.
The allegations have raised fresh concerns over the standard of medical care available to corps members at NYSC orientation camps and the procedures for handling emergencies requiring treatment outside camp facilities.
Afeez described Daniel’s death as a devastating loss to his family, friends, the Akwa Ibom State University community and the wider student movement.
He also condemned the menace of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria, calling for accountability and stronger safeguards 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,” he said.
The NANS president said the association was mourning the former student leader and would announce further actions and its official position as more facts emerged.
The association also extended its condolences to Daniel’s family, Akwa Ibom State University, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, the NYSC community and his fellow corps members.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Enugu State NYSC management nor the police had issued an official statement on the incident.
