The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspects over the disappearance of a member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) identified as Yahya Faruq, who was serving in Ikuru town in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.

Faruq was teaching in a secondary school in Ikuru as his primary assignment but was also said to augmenting his finances with a part-time in a Chinese firm in the area.

Preliminary investigations suggest that he went missing after reporting at the Chinese firm, LDM Chinese Milling Company, as officials of the firm were said to have returned his bag and phone to his place of primary assignment, Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni LGA, Rivers State after he went missing.

A top security source said their searchlight is both the Chinese firm and the school.

Recall that the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria had said that Faruq went missing on Monday, October 14, 2024.

On Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the disappearance of the corps member, assuring of an ongoing investigation.

Nine days after he went missing, Faruq’s colleagues and the school authorities have been worried as there has not been any clue as to whereabouts.

Iringe-Koko said the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Mustache, had received some officials of the NYSC who visited him on the incident.

She confirmed that four persons have been arrested and transferred to the SCID for discreet investigation.

“Already, some NYSC officials were with the Commissioner of Police today (Tuesday) where he briefed them on the arrest and other measures being taken to ensure that the corps member is found.”

Some Corps members across the nation have faced difficult, sometimes fatal challenges in recent years with some losing their lives while serving their country, and some kidnapped and subjected to harrowing experiences before being released after payment of ransom.

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Edo Central Area Council, had in a statement condemned the incident while pleading with security authorities to effect his safe return.

The statement reads, “Faruq who reportedly went missing on Monday, October 14, 2024, is a corps member, serving in Rivers State. Till the time of the announcement of his disappearance, he was serving at the Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Faruq was also reported to have been working on a part-time basis at the LDM Chinese Milling Company, in the same Ikuru Town, Adoni LGA.

“We are devastated and heartbroken to announce the sudden and mysterious disappearance of our beloved brother, Yahya Faruq, a dedicated corps member serving at Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Last seen: Monday, October 14, 2024. Part-time workplace: LDM Chinese Milling Company, Ikuru Town, Adoni Local Government Area, Rivers State. The alarming fact is that he signed in for his shift but did not sign out, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions, unbearable anxiety for his family, friends and colleagues and a gaping void in our lives.

“Adding to our distress, the LDM Chinese Milling Company returned his bag and phone to his place of primary assignment, Mixed Secondary School, Ikuru Town, Adoni LGA, Rivers State, fuelling our fears and deepening the mystery.

“We desperately seek your assistance, prayers and empathy to locate our dear brother and ensure his safe return. Every passing moment is agonising.”