The Rivers State Police Command has launched a thorough investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Yahaya Faruk, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member deployed to Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town, who has been missing since October 14, 2024.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, it was disclosed that on October 15, 2024, the principal of the school, Mr. Anderson Awaji Ogbana, reported Faruk’s disappearance to the Ngo Divisional Police Headquarters after the corps member could not be found at the school or within the surrounding community.
The police revealed that Faruk had been employed in a casual capacity by LDM Mining Company, also located in Ikuru Town. The manager of the company, Mr. Wen Hauiguo, was summoned for questioning and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further inquiry. During his interrogation, Mr. Wen admitted that Faruk had been working on a night shift from 4:00 p.m. to midnight but claimed he was unaware of Faruk’s status as a corps member.
According to the site manager, Mr. Lai Ding Chi, on the evening of October 14, between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m., two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle at the mining site. Faruk left his post to accompany them and has not been seen since.
Several of Faruk’s co-workers—Joseph Godstime, Levi Stephen, Ejit-Awaji Michael, and Ishmael Jireh—were questioned under caution but denied any knowledge or involvement in his disappearance.
Commissioner of Police Mustapha Bala personally interviewed all parties involved and has directed a multi-pronged approach to expedite the search, employing advanced technology. Officers from the State CID have also been instructed to collaborate with the Community Development Committee (CDC) and key stakeholders in Ikuru Town to intensify local efforts to find Faruk.
The Rivers State Police Command has called on anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation and urged Faruk’s family to cooperate with law enforcement as they work to uncover the circumstances behind his disappearance.
