Police arrest 4 over missing corps member in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has said four people have been arrested over the disappearance of Mr Yahaya Faruk, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who was deployed to Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town in Rivers State.

Mr Faruk was said to have gone missing since October 14, 2024.

The command’s public relations officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement yesterday said, “Upon receiving report of the missing corps member, Mr Wen Hauiguo, the manager of LDM Mining Company where the victim was engaged as a casual worker was arrested for questioning.’’

Koko said the suspect 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 4pm to midnight.

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She said the manager was unaware of Mr Faruk’s status as a serving corps member. 

She said, “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 4pm to midnight.

“However, Mr Wen stated that he was unaware of 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 9pm and 10pm, 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, utilising 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.”

Koko said the command remained committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mr Yahaya Faruk and called on his family to reach out to the command for collaborative efforts.