The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has declared 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Levi Anyanwu (NYSC registration number BYS/25A/0244), missing.
Punch Metro reports that the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Anyanwu, whose primary assignment is at the Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama, headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, reportedly went missing on October 8, 2025.
In a statement released on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit had been directed to take all necessary measures to locate the corps member.
The statement revealed that Anyanwu was last thought to be with fellow Jehovah’s Witness worshippers, Mr. and Mrs. Wisdom George, who confirmed he was with them earlier but left afterwards.
Further investigation showed that on October 10, Mr. Oke Emmanuel, Anyanwu’s roommate and fellow corps member, was interrogated by detectives. Emmanuel confirmed that Anyanwu was with the George family until October 6. Mr. George disclosed that Anyanwu had complained of illness and was taken to Kaiama Referral Hospital on October 4, before being discharged on October 5. He reportedly disappeared to an unknown location on October 6.
The police are also probing an alleged N100,000 extortion of Anyanwu’s parents by two inmates of the Igbara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, who posed as kidnappers. Detectives traced a GSM call from the missing corps member’s phone to an inmate at the Abeokuta prison. The inmate admitted that they saw the phone number on social media and attempted to exploit the father, Mr. Simon Anyanwu, 56. The money was reportedly transferred to an account belonging to Atinuke Oluwalose, an associate of the inmate.
Police stated that from preliminary findings, certain personal factors, including Anyanwu’s recent social preferences and religious considerations, may have influenced his actions.
The statement emphasized that there is no evidence of actual kidnapping. Law enforcement efforts are ongoing to conclude the investigation and ensure clarity on the case.
