Nigerians on social media have reacted with grief, outrage and calls for accountability following the death of Etimbuk Daniel, the immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) president of Akwa Ibom State University, at a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Enugu State, amid allegations that he was administered fake drugs.
The reactions, which surfaced on Facebook and X, followed allegations by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) that Daniel’s condition worsened after he was given medication for a headache at the camp.
NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the late student leader reportedly requested to be taken to a hospital, but approval allegedly came too late, and he died before he could receive further medical attention.
Afeez also said the association was informed that a doctor later identified the medication administered to Daniel as fake.
Reacting on Facebook, Innocent Okoh expressed dismay over the alleged presence of fake drugs at an NYSC orientation camp.
“Fake drugs everywhere, Even in NYSC Orientation Camp fake drugs exist Too…. We’re finished,” Okoh wrote.
Comr Ikumubok-owaji Ntegun described the incident as sad and called for an investigation into the medication and those responsible for administering it.
“This is sad.
“Rest in peace Comrade.
“Those who administered the ‘fake drugs’ and where the drugs was gotten should be questioned and thoroughly investigated,” Ntegun wrote.
Shettima Unimed also criticised what the user perceived as inadequate action by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“The DG NAFDAC and her Team have a lot to do pls, she must wake up, because we are Not hearing or seeing anything about NAFDAC..
“Fake Drugs everywhere na wa,” the user wrote.
Anuoluwa Iyiola questioned why approval was allegedly required before Daniel could be taken to a hospital, arguing that the reported delay raised concerns about emergency medical procedures at the camp.
“Must they seek approval when the person feeling it complains of pain..we take so many things for granted ..that is enough to close the camp ,we don’t even see life as anything in this insane society,” Iyiola wrote.
BI Ess said Daniel’s death might have been preventable, depending on the circumstances, and expressed hope that anyone found culpable would be held accountable.
“Death is inevitable.
“But this could possibly have been avoided, judging from the circumstances surrounding his demise.
“It’s really painful.
“I want to believe that every culprit involved will be brought to book.
“May his soul rest in peace. And may God grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Ess wrote.
However, Iniobong Ifot cautioned against concluding that fake drugs caused Daniel’s death without a proper investigation.
“How sure are u that it’s a fake drug … .or the doctor administered an inappropriate drug?
“It should be investigated appropriately
“May his soul rest in Peace,” Ifot wrote.
Daniel Micheal expressed grief over the death, lamenting that the young man had died while pursuing a better future.
“Ohh Etimbuk
“On the journey to seek for a better tomorrow may we never be brought home dead and may we never trend for the wrong reason….
“May your soul rest in Perfect peace,” Micheal wrote.
Sam Dominic also expressed disbelief, describing Daniel as a vibrant young man and reflecting on the impact his death would have on his family.
“For person wey the father na pharmacist brotherly I can’t believe I’m typing this you were a vibrant young man…I can’t imagine how your sister, and your last born will feel now ….I don’t wanna talk about mumsi OMG Etimbuk forever in our heart,” Dominic wrote.
Favour Ihuoma Eke expressed concern about the safety of corps members, writing, “Somebody escaped bandits on the road and met them inside camp. God help our children.”
Meanwhile, Ols Sally Sewuese Ukule shared an account of an alleged experience with camp medical personnel during her own NYSC orientation.
“Imagine I went to camp for 1 week. I wasn’t able to go to the toilet or eat but those camp doctors told me nothing was wrong with me,” Ukule wrote.
On X, the incident triggered further criticism of NAFDAC and questions about how medication allegedly linked to Daniel’s death could have reached a government-run orientation camp.
User @arter42 called for the removal of the agency’s director-general, writing, “That Nafdac woman must be removed; she’s not doing anything about the spread of fake drugs and food everywhere.”
However, @mak_collections argued that the alleged presence of fake drugs at the camp raised questions about the NYSC’s procurement and supply arrangements.
“My first problem is not even the NAFDAC, how can a whole government body, NYSC for that matter, be supplied with fake drugs. They know the supplier and the supplier knows his own supplier so it is not that difficult to trace. if the government body can have fake drugs then we are done,” the user wrote.
User @10mozest also questioned whether the alleged fake drugs affected people regardless of their political affiliations, writing, “Ok…, those drugs no dey affect the person wey no dey wear Cao ba ?
“Isorait…”
Another user, @obithejust, wrote, “He is btified …
“Most student union leaders support APC or ….”
User @lantern1 questioned the focus of the debate, writing, “It doesn’t matter that some Nigerians made the drug abi.”
Meanwhile, @ty41155784 argued that the manufacturers of counterfeit medicines should also be identified and held accountable.
“Someone manufactured the drug. If they didn’t start making the fake drugs in the first instance, there won’t be need for NAFDAC. And who are the people making the fake drugs? Nigerians know them. But people would rather leave the main issue. Retards,” the user wrote.
The debate also took a political turn, with some X users referencing a photograph of Daniel wearing a cap popularly associated with President Bola Tinubu.
User @dollarb2 linked the photograph to Daniel’s perceived political affiliation, writing, “Immediately I saw the cap , I knew he was in support of who killed him. He made his choice and he died on his choice. May Nigeria keep on happening to those that identify with that cap. Your choice not my choice, but remember there are consequences for your choices.”
Similarly, @jugycool10 suggested that Daniel’s perceived political affiliation might have influenced how he would have responded to criticism of the government.
“With that cap, he would defend the NAFDAC DG and the person who appointed her if he were alive. Nigeria has happened to him,” the user wrote.