Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced investigation into the death of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the orientation camp in Awgu, Enugu State.
The deceased was alleged to have died from effects of substandard and falsified medicines.
However, NAFDAC has dismissed the claims saying preliminary investigations indicate death may have resulted from complications linked to severe dehydration and shock.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, NAFDAC said it has commenced full investigation, with its officers already visiting the camp clinic, interviewing doctors and other health workers, and collecting samples of drugs administered to deceased corps member for laboratory analysis.
The statement, titled “Unfortunate Death of NYSC Corper: Putting the Circumstances of His Death in Proper Perspective,” explained sequence of events leading to death.
According to NAFDAC, a corps member was brought to Camp clinic on Wednesday, 7th October, 2026 at about 9:00 pm, supported by two other corps members, presenting symptoms suggestive of severe malaria in a known peptic ulcer disease patient.
He was stabilised with intramuscular antimalarial injections and other supportive medications given intravenously. He was placed on bed rest for observation till Thursday morning when he was discharged with oral medications.
The Agency said he came back unaided on Saturday, 10th October, complaining of right thigh pain, for which he was referred to see physiotherapist. However, the attending doctor noticed profuse sweating and checked his blood pressure, which was found to be critically low at 80/40mmHg.
He was stabilised with intravenous Normal Saline, but serial monitoring showed recurrent episodes of hypotension coupled with poor urine output despite adequate fluid resuscitation.
This prompted immediate referral to University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, in an ambulance accompanied by a doctor.
NAFDAC said he lapsed into coma around time of arrival at UNTH and all efforts to resuscitate him failed.
The Agency added that new information emerged after death, as friend of deceased later informed camp clinic doctor that corps member had been vomiting for two days after initial admission, a development not disclosed to medical team during second visit.
NAFDAC insisted that same medications given to deceased were administered to several other corps members and patients in camp who recovered fully, noting that medical doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare workers at camp clinic not only prescribed but also used same drugs themselves at different times.
“The doctors believed that cause of death was acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock,” the statement said.
While commiserating with family of late corps member, NAFDAC said it remains committed to ensuring all medicines available to public are safe, efficacious and of good quality.
It urged public to remain calm and report any drug-related complaints to NAFDAC Call Centre on 0800-1-623322, 0700-1-623322 or via email reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.