Police Investigate Case of Missing NYSC Member in Bayelsa
… Quizze two prison inmates over alleged ₦100,000 extortion of victim’s family
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command have launched a full-scale investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Levi Anyanwu, who was serving in the state before he went missing.
The 24-year-old Corps member, with NYSC registration number BYS/25A/0244, was serving at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. He was reported missing on October 8, 2025, sparking anxiety among fellow Corps members and family members.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Musa Mohammed, confirmed that following a distress call from the family, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit was immediately directed to take over the case and initiate measures to locate the missing Corps member.
> “Upon receipt of the report, detectives established contact with his place of primary assignment, Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, where we were informed that the missing Corps member frequently visited members of his Jehovah’s Witness faith, Mr. and Mrs. Wisdom George,” the statement noted.
According to the police, preliminary investigation revealed that Levi had complained of an ailment and was reportedly taken by the George family to the Kaiama Referral Hospital on October 4, 2025, where he was treated and discharged the following day. However, on October 6, he allegedly left for an unknown destination and has not been seen since.
Further police investigation led to the interrogation of Mr. Oke Emmanuel, another Corps member said to be Levi’s roommate, who confirmed that Levi had been staying with the George family prior to his disappearance. His mobile phone was later discovered in his apartment, adding a twist to the mystery.
Detectives, in tracking possible clues, traced one of the calls received by Levi’s father to a mobile number (0906193291), which was found to belong to an inmate at the Igbara Correctional Custodial Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The inmate, who is already facing trial for kidnapping, allegedly contacted the family to demand money under the guise of having information about the missing Corps member.
Police investigations further revealed that the inmate, in collaboration with an accomplice identified as Atinuke Oluwalose, operating an Opay account (7042793493), allegedly extorted ₦100,000 from Levi’s father, Mr. Simon Anyanwu, 56, on the false promise of aiding his son’s release.
> “The inmate confessed that they saw the number of the victim’s father on social media and decided to take advantage of the situation. The ₦100,000 was paid into Atinuke Oluwalose’s account, a close associate of the inmate,” the PPRO explained.
The statement further disclosed that emerging findings by detectives suggest the disappearance may have been influenced by personal and psychological factors rather than criminal abduction.
> “From preliminary findings, there are indications that certain recent personal and social inclinations of the missing Corps member may have conflicted with his religious beliefs. However, there is no evidence so far suggesting a case of kidnapping,” the statement clarified.
The Bayelsa State Police Command assured that investigations are ongoing to unravel the full circumstances surrounding Levi’s disappearance, recover any possible evidence, and bring all collaborators in the extortion case to justice.
> “The Command remains committed to pursuing all leads to a logical conclusion and ensuring that the family and the public are duly informed as the inquiry progresses,” the statement concluded.
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