The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five persons in connection with the disappearance of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Yahaya Faruk, who was deployed to Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town for his compulsory one-year national service.
The Corps member was reported missing since October 14, 2024 with the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko saying that one Mr. Wen Hauiguo, the Manager of LDM Mining Company, as well as Joseph Godstime, Levi Stephen, Ejit-Awaji Michael, and Ishmael Jireh who were on the same duty shift with Faruk on the day he went missing have also been questioned.
The news of Faruk’s disappearance was first made public by Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Edo Central Area Council, who in a statement “Urgent Appeal for Help and Justice” announced the disappearance of the NYSC member.
The statement gave his last seen date as Monday, October 14, 2024 adding that he was doing a part time job with LDM Mining Company, and his primary place of assignment as Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area.
The group added that it was alarmed by the fact that the missing corps signed in for his shift at LD Mining Company on the day of his disappearance 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”.
“Adding to our distress, LDM Chinese Milling Company returned his bag and phone to his Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni local Government, Rivers State, fueling 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 agonizing, and we urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward and help us unravel the mystery surrounding his disappearance,” the Muslim Students Society stated.
However, the police in acknowledging the incident stated; “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.
“The CDC Chairman has assured the Police that the community is fully engaged in the search, having extended their efforts to neighbouring areas, and is optimistic that positive developments will emerge soon.
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mr. Yahaya Faruk, calls on his family to reach out to the Command for collaborative efforts, and urges anyone with pertinent information to assist the investigation.”
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