24-year-old corps member goes missing in Bayelsa

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - The Bayelsa State Police Command has declared a 24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Anyanwu Levi Chimezie, missing. 

Anyanwu, with NYSC registration number BYS/25A/0244, went missing on October 8, 2025.

The corps member, whose place of primary assignment is at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state, was thought to be with his fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses worshippers, Mr. and Mrs Wisdom George, but they said he visited them but left afterwards. 

The spokesperson of the police, Musa Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, November 2, said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command have launched an investigation into the case in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“On 10/10/25, one, Mr Oke Emmanuel, a corps member, who is said to be the roommate of the subject, was invited by detectives and interrogated. He confirmed that the subject was with the George family until 06/10/25,” the statement read.

“Further disclosures were made by Mr. George that the corps member complained of illness and was taken for treatment at the Kaiama Referral Hospital, on 04/10/25, and was reportedly discharged on 05/10/25. That on 06/10/25, the missing corps member disappeared to an unknown destination."

The police are also investigating the alleged extortion of the victim’s parents of N100,000 by two inmates of the Igbara Correctional Centre, Abeokuta, in Ogun State, who posed as kidnappers.

"The missing youth corps member’s phone was left in his apartment. Detectives followed a GSM call from No 0906193291, which was later traced to an inmate detained at Igbara Correctional Custodian Centre, Abeokuta, in Ogun State, in connection with a kidnapping case.

“The suspect claimed that they saw the telephone number on social media and decided to take advantage of the father of the victim, Mr Anyanwu Simon ‘m’ 56 years old. The sum of N100,000:00 was paid to the account Opay; 7042793493, belonging to one Atinuke Oluwalose, a close collaborator with the detained inmate at Abeokuta Prison.

“From the findings by detectives, a disturbing realization may have impelled the victim’s actions. There are declarations he made about certain recent social preferences and appetites that impinge on his religious beliefs.

“Measures are still ongoing to consolidate law enforcement activities, to enable a proper conclusion on the findings of the detectives, as the findings are quite revealing. There is no case of kidnapping in this peculiar incident. Efforts are still ongoing to ensure foreclosure is found in the ongoing inquiry."