By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Senate has ordered an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, at the orientation camp in Enugu State.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance raised on Thursday by Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bassey expressed shock over Daniel’s death and identified him as a former Students’ Union Government president of Akwa Ibom State University who had proceeded for the mandatory national service.
The senator said reports indicated that Daniel died from complications linked to a minor headache after allegedly experiencing delays in receiving adequate medical attention at the camp clinic.
He said the incident had raised concerns about the quality of healthcare available at NYSC orientation camps, particularly the availability of qualified medical personnel, functional facilities and effective emergency referral systems.
Bassey added that the government had a constitutional responsibility to protect citizens’ welfare and ensure that graduates undertaking national service received appropriate medical care.
He said Daniel’s death had plunged his family, the university community and Akwa Ibom State into mourning.
Seconding the motion, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, called for a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure accountability where necessary.
The Senate subsequently directed its committees on Police, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Youth Development, and Health to investigate the incident in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The investigation is expected to determine whether negligence or other failures contributed to Daniel’s death.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended Bassey for bringing the matter before the chamber and urged the committees to conduct a thorough investigation.
