The Rivers State Police Command has begun investigations into the disappearance of a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member, Yahaya Faruk, deployed to Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Opobo/Nkoro local government area of the state.
Faruk has been missing since October 14, 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday, the command disclosed that the school’s principal, Anderson Awaji-Ogbana, reported to the Ngo Divisional Police Headquarters on October 15, 2024, that Faruk was unaccounted for within the school premises and the surrounding community.
It was later discovered that Faruk had been involved in casual employment with LDM Mining Company, located in Ikuru Town.
According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the police summoned Wen Hauiguo, the manager of LDM Mining Company, who admitted that Faruk was employed on the night shift, from 4:00 pm to midnight.
On October 16, 2024, Hauiguo was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further questioning.
In his statement, Hauiguo claimed to be unaware of Faruk’s status as a corps member.
Further inquiries revealed that, on the night of Faruk’s disappearance, between 9:00 and 10:00 PM, two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle, after which Faruk left his post to accompany them, as reported by the site manager, Lai Ding-Chi.
“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 4:00pm 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.”
Several individuals who worked with Faruk during the same shift, including Joseph Godstime, Levi Stephen, Ejit-Awaji Michael, and Ishmael Jireh, were also questioned but denied any involvement in his disappearance.
The statement said the state Commissioner of Police personally interviewed all parties and implemented a multi-pronged approach, using advanced technology to expedite the search for Faruk.
The statement added that officers from the State CID have been directed to collaborate with the Community Development Committee, CDC, and other key stakeholders in Ikuru Town.
The CDC Chairman assured the police of the community’s commitment to the search, which has been extended to neighbouring areas, expressing optimism that progress will be made soon.