The Nigerian Senate has ordered an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, at the NYSC orientation camp in Enugu State amid concerns over the adequacy of medical services at orientation camps.
The resolution was reached on Thursday following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Bassey expressed shock over Daniel’s death, describing him as a former Students’ Union Government president of Akwa Ibom State University who had proceeded for the mandatory national service.
According to the senator, reports surrounding the incident suggested that Daniel died from complications linked to a minor headache after allegedly experiencing delays in accessing appropriate medical attention at the camp clinic.
The development, he said, had raised questions about the standard of healthcare available to corps members, particularly the presence of qualified medical personnel, functional facilities and effective emergency referral arrangements.
Bassey noted that corps members, who are graduates deployed across the country for national service, deserved adequate medical attention and protection while carrying out their national assignment.
He added that Daniel’s death had plunged his family, the university community and Akwa Ibom State into mourning.
Supporting the motion, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish whether anyone was responsible.
Following the adoption of the motion, the Senate directed its committees on Police, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Youth Development, and Health to work with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the death.
The investigation is expected to determine whether negligence played any role in the incident and establish the facts surrounding the medical care provided to the deceased.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, commended Bassey for bringing the matter before the Senate and urged the relevant committees to ensure a thorough investigation.
The probe comes amid renewed concerns about the welfare and safety of corps members serving in different parts of the country, particularly the capacity of NYSC camp clinics to respond promptly to medical emergencies.
