The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Etimbuk Sunday, at the orientation camp in Enugu State, amid concerns over the medical attention he received and the condition of his body when it was handed over to his family.
The House adopted a motion of urgent public importance at plenary on Tuesday, sponsored by the Chairman of its Committee on Public Procurement, Idem Unyime, who called for an independent and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s death on 11 October 2026.
Sunday, a former Students’ Union Government president of Akwa Ibom State University, reportedly visited the camp clinic on 7 October after experiencing symptoms believed to be consistent with malaria or typhoid.
According to concerns raised in the motion, he received initial treatment at the clinic and was discharged with oral medication. However, questions have since been raised about the treatment administered, the subsequent deterioration of his health and an alleged delay in referring him to a hospital.
The lawmakers said the circumstances warranted a thorough investigation to determine whether appropriate medical procedures were followed and whether an earlier referral could have affected the outcome.
The House was also concerned by reports that Sunday’s body was handed over to his family naked and with visible bruises.
Lawmakers called for an independent examination of the allegations, stressing that both the circumstances of his death and the reported condition of his body required clear answers.
A joint committee is expected to examine the medical care provided to Sunday, the handling of his deteriorating condition, the alleged delay in referring him to a hospital and the circumstances surrounding the release of his body to his family.
The inquiry is also expected to determine whether there were lapses in the camp’s medical response and establish responsibility if any wrongdoing is proven.
Beyond the specific case, the House urged the Federal Ministries of Youth Development and Health and Social Welfare, alongside the NYSC Directorate, to review healthcare delivery and emergency response arrangements at orientation camps nationwide.
The lawmakers stressed the need for adequately equipped clinics, qualified medical personnel, effective emergency procedures and prompt referrals to hospitals whenever corps members require specialised medical attention.
The NYSC orientation programme is a compulsory component of the one-year national service scheme for eligible Nigerian graduates. Participants undergo a residential orientation lasting several weeks before being deployed to their places of primary assignment.
The proposed investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s death and address concerns about the standard of medical care and emergency response available to corps members at orientation camps.
