The Senate has directed a multi-committee investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps member, Etimbuk Daniel, at the Enugu State orientation camp, amid concerns over medical care and emergency response arrangements in camps across the country.
The resolution, adopted during Thursday’s plenary, followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey, who urged lawmakers to examine the circumstances of Daniel’s death and assess the adequacy of healthcare services available to corps members nationwide.
The investigation will be undertaken 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 collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
Presenting the motion, Bassey expressed concern over the death of Daniel, the immediate past Students’ Union Government president of Akwa Ibom State University, who reportedly died while participating in the mandatory national service programme.
The senator described the deceased as “a vibrant, patriotic young Nigerian and a shining light of his community who had only set out to serve the country.”
He argued that the incident raised serious questions about the availability of qualified medical personnel, the condition of health facilities and the speed of emergency referrals at NYSC orientation camps.
“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,” Bassey said.
He added that the government had a responsibility to protect young graduates deployed away from their homes for national service and ensure that they received prompt and adequate medical attention whenever necessary.
According to the senator, the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death require urgent legislative scrutiny, particularly in view of allegations of medical negligence and shortcomings in the camp’s healthcare arrangements.
Bassey cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which identifies the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
He said Daniel’s death had left his family, friends, the student community and the people of Akwa Ibom State in mourning, stressing that a thorough investigation was necessary to establish what happened and determine whether any officials or agencies failed in their responsibilities.
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 produce practical recommendations and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Senate subsequently observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased.
Daniel’s death has attracted public concern following reports alleging that he was given fake medication and did not receive timely medical attention at the Enugu camp.
According to reports, the corps member complained of a headache and was given medication, but his condition reportedly worsened afterwards.
The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Akinteye Afeez, had also alleged in a statement issued days before the Senate’s intervention that Daniel requested to be taken to a hospital after his condition deteriorated.
Afeez said approval for further medical treatment allegedly came too late and that Daniel died before he could be taken to the hospital.
The allegations have yet to be established by the Senate-ordered investigation.
The probe comes amid broader concerns about the capacity of NYSC orientation camps to handle medical emergencies involving thousands of graduates who participate in drills, physical exercises and other camp activities before deployment to their places of primary assignment.
The committees are expected to examine the circumstances of Daniel’s death and the state of medical facilities, staffing and emergency referral procedures across the camps.
