The House of Representatives has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig Gen Yushau Ahmed, to urgently conduct a search and rescue operation for a corps member, Okeke Chukwuemeka Godwin, who has been missing for almost six months.
LIB reported that Okeke went missing on May 9, 2024, while serving in Akure, Ondo State.
During Thursday’s plenary session, the House adopted a motion on urgent public importance sponsored by Mr Nnolim Nnaji, a member representing the Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency, Enugu State.
Moving the motion, Nnaji noted that Godwin, from Umuanyi Village, Ovuorie, Ugbawka Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area, was the best-graduating student in the Computer Science Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, with a Second Class Upper Division.
He stated that Godwin was supposed to complete his NYSC assignment on June 17, 2024, but went missing on May 9, 2024, which was the day his parents could not reach him on his mobile phone numbers until now.
On May 13, 2024, the mother of the missing corps member, Mrs Okeke Patience, and his younger brother went to Akure, Ondo State, to verify the situation.
They visited his place of primary assignment and residence but could not obtain any vital information.
“The relatives reported the matter to the Nigerian Police (Ijakpo Police Division), who sent a signal to other police stations and the police headquarters in Ondo State for investigation. However, after some interrogations, the family has not been fully informed about the outcome of these investigations,” Nnaji said.
“The relatives also reported the matter to the local government and state offices of the NYSC, including the community leadership. Yet, to date, the matter remains pending without any information leading to his rescue.”
He added that on June 19, 2024, Godwin’s mother, two relatives, and a journalist visited the Ondo State Police Command and the NYSC State and local government offices, where the journalist made inquiries and produced a documentary via Trust Television.
According to him, the NYSC headquarters in Abuja was notified of the distress the family has been experiencing as a result of the disappearance of their son.
The lawmaker blamed the state’s Commissioner of Police and the NYSC state coordinator for failing to provide leadership in the rescue of the missing corps member.
Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the House mandated the IGP, the NYSC DG, and other related security agencies to investigate the case of the missing corps member and initiate measures for the safety and welfare of other corps members in every host community.
It also directed the IGP to intervene by conducting a comprehensive search and rescue operation for Godwin, as the matter is seriously affecting the lives and mental state of the family, particularly the mother.
