The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced investigations into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at the Orientation Camp in Agwu, Enugu State, following reports linking the incident to the use of substandard or falsified medicines.
In a statement on Monday, the agency urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions about the cause of death pending the outcome of its investigations.
It said preliminary information indicates that the corps member was first taken to the camp clinic on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria and a history of peptic ulcer disease.
"He was treated and stabilised before being discharged with oral medications the following morning. He returned to the clinic on Saturday, 10 October, with right thigh pain, profuse sweating and recurrent episodes of low blood pressure. Due to his deteriorating condition and poor urine output despite fluid resuscitation, he was referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, where he became comatose. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful," the agency said.
NAFDAC said the preliminary clinical assessment indicated that the suspected cause of death was acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock. The agency noted that these findings are preliminary and do not, in themselves, establish whether the medicines administered contributed to the death.
"NAFDAC officers have visited the camp clinic, interviewed the attending medical personnel and other staff, and collected samples of the medicines for laboratory analysis and further regulatory action as necessary. The Agency will take appropriate action based on the outcome of its investigations.
"NAFDAC commiserates with the family of the deceased and urges the public to remain calm while the investigation continues. The Agency remains committed to ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy," the agency said.
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