Four nabbed for corps member disappearance in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives had arrested four suspects over the disappearance of a member of the National Youths Service Corps identified as Yahya Faruq, serving in Ikuru town in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.

This came as the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria said Faruq went missing on Monday, October 4, 2024.

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

But reacting to the incident on Tuesday evening, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the disappearance of the corper, saying an investigation was ongoing.

Iringe-Koko further said the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Mustache, had received some officials of the NYSC who visited him on the incident.

She stated, “Yes, I am aware of it. Four persons have been arrested and transferred to the SCID for discreet investigation.

“Already, some NYSC officials were with the Commissioner of Police today where he briefed them on the arrest and other measures being taken to ensure that the corps member is found.”

An earlier statement from the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Edo Central Area Council, expressed anxiety over the incident.

It reads, “Faruq who reportedly went missing on Monday, October 14, 2024, is a corps member, serving in Rivers State. Till the time of the announcement of his disappearance, he was serving at the Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Faruq was also reported to have been working on a part-time basis at the LDM Chinese Milling Company, in the same Ikuru Town, Adoni LGA.”

While appealing for help, the Society said, “We are devastated and heartbroken to announce the sudden and mysterious disappearance of our beloved brother, Yahya Faruq, a dedicated corps member serving at Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Last seen: Monday, October 14, 2024. Part-time workplace: LDM Chinese Milling Company, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area, Rivers State. The alarming fact is that he signed in for his shift but did not sign out, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions, unbearable anxiety for his family, friends and colleagues and a gaping void in our lives.

The society further noted, “Adding to our distress, the LDM Chinese Milling Company returned his bag and phone to his place of primary assignment, Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni LGA, Rivers State, fuelling our fears and deepening the mystery.

“We desperately seek your assistance, prayers and empathy to locate our dear brother and ensure his safe return. Every passing moment is agonising.

When contacted, a Public Relations Officer of the NYSC in Rivers State, Christian Onuoha, said he was not competent to speak on the matter.