Reps Want Missing Corps Member Rescued

The House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to appropriately prevail on the state governments and security agencies to provide maximum security and good habitation facilities for National Youth Service Corps members.

The House particularly asked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director-General of NYSC, Gen YD Ahmed and relevant agencies to investigate the case of the missing Corp member, Okeke Chukwuemeka Godwin in Ondo, and initiate measures for the safety and welfare of Corp members in every host community.

These were in addition to adopting a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Nnolim Nnaji (PDP, Enugu) at the plenary on Thursday.

Nnaji expressed worry that a Youth Corpser and his constituent, Godwin, from Umuanyi Village, Ovuorie, Ugbawka community in Nkanu East local government of Enugu State, had been missing until now while serving in Ondo State.

He said Godwin was supposed to complete his NYSC programme on June 17, 2024, but he went missing on May 9, 2024, which was the day his parents could not reach him on his mobile phone numbers until now.

The lawmaker noted that “ on the 13th day of May 2024, the mother of the missing Corp member, Mrs Okeke Patience, and his younger brother went to Akure, Ondo State, to verify the situation and thereby visited his place of primary assignment and residence but could not get 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, but after some interrogations, the family has not been fully communicated on the outcome of these investigations.

“The relatives also reported the matter to the local government and State office of the NYSC, including the community leadership, but up to date, the matter is still pending without any information leading to his rescue.

“The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State and the State Coordinator of NYSC with the scheme’s management have not taken adequate measures to search and rescue the missing Corp member.

“The negative and culminating effects of various State Governments not being proactive in taking adequate measures to provide basic accommodation facilities, clinics, enabling environment and other necessities has devastated the safety and welfare of corps members.”

Adopting the motion, they urged the IGP to intervene by conducting a comprehensive search and rescuing of Godwin, the missing Youth Corp member, as the matter was seriously affecting the lives and mental state of the family, most especially the mother.