The House of Representatives has called upon the Inspector General of Police to launch an immediate investigation into the disappearance of Okeke Chukwuemeka Godwin, a promising corps member who has been missing since May 9, 2024.
The call to action follows a motion presented by Nnolim Nnaji (PDP-Enugu) during a plenary session in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr. Nnaji highlighted the critical role of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in promoting community service and nation-building across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscapes. However, he lamented that the program has been plagued by “myriads of abductions, incessant attacks, and murder,” largely due to inadequate facilities and a lack of general welfare for corps members.
Expressing deep concern, Mr. Nnaji 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, who was nearing the completion of his NYSC program on June 17, 2024, suddenly went off-grid on May 9, 2024, leaving his family in distress.
“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 recounted.
Despite efforts by the family, including reporting the disappearance to the Nigeria Police and engaging with local and state NYSC offices, there has been no substantial progress.
“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,” he added.
In a determined bid for answers, Godwin’s mother, accompanied by family members and a journalist, visited the police command and NYSC offices in Ondo.
Although a documentary was produced by Trust Television, and the matter was reported to the NYSC National Secretariat in Abuja, the family remains in the dark.
“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,” Mr. Nnaji asserted. He further criticized state governments for their lack of proactive measures in ensuring the safety of corps members, noting the devastating effects of inadequate facilities and security.
The House has also urged President Bola Tinubu to compel state governments and security agencies to provide comprehensive security and proper living conditions for youth corps members. Additionally, they called on the NYSC and relevant agencies to prioritize the investigation into Godwin’s disappearance and enhance the overall safety and welfare of corps members nationwide.
The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, has directed that the motion be referred to the relevant committees for further legislative action, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the situation.
