Nigeria’s House of Representatives has urged the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, on the rescue of a missing National Youth Service Corps, NYSC member, Mr. Okeke Godwin, in Ondo state.
This followed the adoption of a motion by chairman, House Committee on Ports and Harbours, Mr. Nnolim Nnaji.
The House also urged President Bola Tinubu to direct state governments and security agencies to provide maximum security and good habitation facilities for youth corp members, across the country.
It also urged the NYSC and the IGP to investigate Godwin’s case, as well as initiate measures to ensure the safety and welfare of corp members in their respective host communities.
While leading debate on the motion Mr. Nnaji, who represents Nkanu East/ West informed the House that Godwin, a Computer Science graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University , Awka, who is also his constituent, has been missing in Ondo State, since May 9, in Ondo state, where he was deployed for mandatory one year youth service.
“Godwin was supposed to complete his NYSC program on June 17th, 2024, but got missing on May 9th, 2024, which was the particular day his parents couldn’t reach him on his mobile phone numbers till date;
“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 signal to other police stations and the police headquarter in Ondo State for investigation, but after some interrogations, the family has not been fully communicated on the outcome of these investigations,” he said.
Mr Nnaji also stated that “on the 19th of June, 2024, the mother of Godwin with two other relatives and a journalist visited the Ondo State Police Command, the NYSC State and local government offices, where the journalist made some inquiries and produced a documentary via Trust Television, meanwhile the mother visited and reported the matter and her ordeal at 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.”
According to him, the Federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, have obligation to provide safe environment and facilities for youths on national service, in the course of their service to their fatherland.
Confidence Okwuchi
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