The House of Representatives has urged the inspector general of police to initiate measures to find a missing corps member, Okeke Chukwuemeka Godwin, who has not been seen since May 9, 2024.
The call for the rescue was sequel to a motion by Nnolim Nnaji (PDP-Enugu) at a plenary on Thursday in Abuja.
Moving the motion, Mr Nnaji said the NYSC was established to engage Nigerian university graduates in effective community services and nation-building across ethnolinguistic boundaries.
He said that the scheme had been threatened by myriads of abductions, incessant attacks and murder due to the inadequate facilities and general welfare.
The lawmaker said that there is an optimum obligation to provide a safe environment and facilities for NYSC members in federal and state governments in conjunction with security agencies while serving or posted in various host communities.
The legislator stated, “Concerned about a youth corper and my constituent, Okeke Chukwuemeka Godwin from Umuanyi Village, Ovuorie, Ugbawka Community in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu. Being the best-graduated student in the Computer Science Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra, with Second Class upper division, has been missing to date while serving in Ondo state under Batch 23B.
“Godwin was supposed to complete his NYSC program on June 17, 2024, but got missing on May 9, 2024, which was the particular day his parents could not reach him on his mobile phone numbers to date. On the May 13, 2024, the mother of the missing corps member, Mrs Okeke Patience and his younger brother went to Akure to verify the situation and thereby visited his place of primary assignment and residence but could not get any vital information.”
Mr Nnaji added, “The relatives reported the matter to the Nigeria Police (Ijakpo Police Division), who sent a signal to other police stations and the police headquarters in Ondo 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 offices of the NYSC, including the community leadership, but up to date, the matter is still pending without any information leading to his rescue.”
The lawmaker said that on June 9, 2024, the mother of Godwin, with two other relatives and a journalist, visited the police command in Ondo, the NYSC’s state and local government offices.
He explained that the journalist made some inquiries and produced a documentary via Trust Television while the mother proceeded and reported the matter and her ordeal at the NYSC National Secretariat, Abuja.
“The commissioner of police in Ondo state and the state coordinator of NYSC, with the management of the scheme, have not taken adequate measures to search and rescue the missing corps 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 have been very devastating to the safety and welfare of corps members,” he said.
The house urged President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the state governments and security agencies to provide maximum security and good habitation facilities for youth corps members.
The house also urged the National Youth Service Corps and all relevant agencies to investigate the case of the missing corps member and initiate measures for the safety and welfare of corp members in every host community.
In his ruling, the speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, referred the motion to the relevant committees for further legislative action.