NAFDAC Probes Corps Member’s Death at Enugu Camp as Fake Drug Claims Emerge

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched an investigation into the death of Etimbuk Daniel, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who died at the Awgu Orientation Camp in Enugu State, following allegations that substandard or falsified medicines may have contributed to his death.

The agency said it had collected samples of the medicines administered to the deceased for laboratory analysis as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that the agency’s officers had visited the camp clinic, interviewed medical personnel and other workers, and taken samples of the drugs for further investigation.

The investigation comes amid public concern over the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death and questions about the quality of medical care available to corps members during their mandatory three-week orientation programme.

According to NAFDAC’s preliminary account, Daniel was brought to the camp clinic by two fellow corps members at about 9pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria. The agency also stated that he had a history of peptic ulcer disease.

He was reportedly stabilised with an intramuscular antimalarial drug and other supportive medications administered intravenously before being placed on bed rest for observation.

NAFDAC said he was discharged on the morning of Thursday, October 8, with oral medications after receiving treatment.

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

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His condition subsequently raised concern when the attending doctor noticed that he was sweating profusely. A check of his blood pressure reportedly showed a critically low reading of 80/40mmHg.

The agency said he received intravenous normal saline to stabilise his condition, but repeated monitoring showed persistent episodes of low blood pressure.

His poor urine output, despite fluid treatment, prompted the medical team 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.

NAFDAC further disclosed that a friend of the deceased later informed the camp clinic doctor that Daniel had been vomiting for two days after his initial admission. The doctor was reportedly unaware of the development while treating him.

According to the agency, the doctors’ preliminary assessment suggested that Daniel died from acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock. However, the investigation and laboratory analysis are expected to provide further information about the circumstances of his death.

Addressing allegations that fake or substandard medicines caused the tragedy, NAFDAC said the same medications had been administered to other patients at the camp, who reportedly recovered after treatment. It added that doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare workers at the clinic had prescribed or used the medicines themselves at different times.

The agency’s statement did not include the results of any laboratory tests, and its preliminary account does not constitute a final determination of whether the medicines contributed to Daniel’s death.

NAFDAC urged members of the public to remain calm while the investigation continues, assuring Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring that medicines available in the country are safe, effective and of acceptable quality.

Meanwhile, the Senate has ordered a separate investigation into Daniel’s death and the state of medical facilities and emergency healthcare services at NYSC orientation camps nationwide.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

The Senate directed relevant committees to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.

The lawmakers are also expected to examine the adequacy of medical infrastructure, emergency response arrangements and referral procedures at orientation camps, with a view to preventing similar incidents.

Daniel, who hailed from Akwa Ibom State, was the immediate past president of the Students’ Union Government of Akwa Ibom State University. His death has drawn attention to the responsibility of the authorities to provide adequate healthcare and emergency support for young Nigerians participating in the national service scheme.

The outcome of the NAFDAC investigation, including the laboratory analysis of the collected medicine samples, is expected to help clarify the role of the drugs, if any, in the incident.