The Senate on Thursday called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a corps member, Etimbuk Daniel, at an NYSC orientation camp in Enugu.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Sen. Aniekan Bassey (APC-Akwa Ibom North-East) during plenary.
Bassey said the Senate received with shock and profound grief the news of Daniel’s death while undergoing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Enugu.
He described the deceased as an outstanding student leader and former Students’ Union Government (SUG) president of Akwa Ibom State University who had embarked on national service.
Bassey expressed concern over reports that Daniel died following complications from a minor headache after allegedly experiencing delays in receiving adequate medical attention at the camp’s clinic.
He said the incident raised concerns about healthcare services in NYSC orientation camps, particularly the availability of qualified medical personnel, functional facilities and effective emergency referral systems.
The senator said the reported lapses highlighted the need to review healthcare delivery in orientation camps to prevent similar tragedies and protect corps members.
He emphasised that the government had a constitutional responsibility to safeguard citizens’ welfare, adding that young graduates mobilised for national service deserved adequate medical care throughout their service.
Bassey said Daniel’s death had plunged his family, the Akwa Ibom State University community and the entire state into mourning.
Seconding the motion, Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North) supported the call for an investigation, emphasising the importance of establishing the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death and ensuring accountability.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased and prayed that God would grant his family the strength to bear the loss.
It also called for a thorough investigation to establish the facts surrounding Daniel’s death and determine whether negligence contributed to the incident.
The Senate directed its committees on Police, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Youth Development, and Health to investigate the matter alongside the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the proceedings, thanked Bassey for bringing the matter before the Senate and urged the relevant committees to conduct a thorough investigation.
In another development, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has vowed to bring the perpetrators of an attack on two of its personnel in Niger to justice, following the death of one officer and serious injury to another.
The Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) Akinsola Akinlabi, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the incident occurred on Oct. 6, when two personnel conducting routine surveillance were violently attacked by unidentified assailants.
“Sadly, one of the officers, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) I. U. Babangida, tragically lost his life, while the other, Insp. A. K. Musa, sustained serious injuries but managed to escape and is currently receiving medical attention.”
“The fallen officer has since been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites. The Service honours his sacrifice and unwavering commitment to duty,” he said.
Akinlabi extended the Service’s condolences to the deceased officer’s family, colleagues and loved ones, while wishing the injured personnel a speedy recovery.
He assured both families of the Service’s continued support and assistance during this difficult period.
The spokesperson added that the NIS was working with the Niger Government and relevant security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack and ensure they faced justice.
