4 in police custody over disappearance of Corps member in Rivers

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the disappearance of a member of the National Youths Service Corps identified as Yahya Faruq, in Ikuru town in Andoni Local Government Area of the state. 

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria reported that Faruq went missing on Monday, October 4, 2024. 

The corps member who was posted to a secondary school in Ikuru town for his primary assignment and works part-time in a mining company in the area, has not been seen after eight days.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, October 23, said investigation is ongoing.

“The Rivers State Police Command is actively investigating the disappearance of Mr. Yahaya Faruk, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who was deployed to Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town, and has been missing since October 14, 2024,” the statement read. 

"On October 15, 2024, the principal of Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Mr. Anderson Awaji Ogbana, reported to the Ngo Divisional Police Headquarters that Mr. Faruk could not be located within the school premises or the surrounding community. 

"It was later revealed that Mr. Faruk had been involved in casual employment with LDM Mining Company, also located in Ikuru Town.

"Upon receiving this report, the Police summoned Mr. Wen Hauiguo, the manager of LDM Mining Company, for questioning. On October 16, 2024, he was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where he admitted to employing Mr. Faruk as a casual worker on the night shift, from 4:00 PM to midnight. 

However, Mr. Wen stated that he was unaware of Mr. Faruk’s status as a serving corps member. Further inquiries were conducted with the site manager, Mr. Lai Ding Chi, who disclosed that on the evening of October 14, 2024, between 9:00 and 10:00 PM, two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle, after which Mr. Faruk left his duty post and accompanied them.

"In addition, several other individuals who worked alongside Mr. Faruk during the same shift - Joseph Godstime, Levi Stephen, Ejit-Awaji Michael, and Ishmael Jireh - have also been questioned under caution, all of whom denied any involvement in the disappearance.

"On October 18, 2024, the Commissioner of Police personally interviewed all parties involved. The Command has adopted a multi-pronged approach, utilizing advanced technology to expedite the search for Mr. Faruk. 

"In addition, officers from the State CID have been directed to collaborate with the Community Development Committee (CDC) and other key stakeholders in Ikuru Town, with the aim of strengthening local efforts to locate the missing corps member.