Tragedy In Bayelsa As Missing NYSC Member Is Found Dead

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Okebaram Stanley Chimaraoke, has been found dead in a creek in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Chimaraoke’s body was reportedly recovered on Monday after he allegedly went swimming in the creek, with residents claiming he drowned during the outing.

The deceased was a former President of the Students’ Union Government of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, before proceeding for the mandatory national service.

His death has triggered an outpouring of grief from friends, colleagues and student groups, many of whom have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The NYSC is yet to release an official statement on the incident.

Confirming the development, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the command had launched a full-scale investigation.

“The command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the death of the corps member to ascertain the circumstances that led to his death,” Mohammed said.

While the police probe continues, the Bayelsa Comrade Family has appealed to the public to ignore reports alleging that the corps member was murdered and his body dumped in the creek.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Comrade Ayakeme Paebi, the group said available information indicated that Chimaraoke accidentally drowned while swimming.

According to the group, the clarification became necessary to prevent the spread of false information capable of creating unnecessary tension.

“The attention of the Bayelsa Comrade Family has been drawn to reports and social media posts alleging that the late Comrade Okebaram Stanley was killed in Bayelsa State. We consider it necessary to set the record straight and prevent the spread of misinformation,” the statement said.

The group maintained that there was no evidence suggesting foul play, insisting the incident was a tragic accident.

“From the information available to us, the late Comrade Okebaram Stanley was not killed. The unfortunate incident occurred while he was swimming in a creek in Nembe Local Government Area, where he accidentally drowned. It was a tragic accident that claimed the life of a promising young Nigerian,” the statement added.

The organisation urged media outlets, bloggers and social media users to avoid circulating unverified claims while investigations remain ongoing.

It warned that spreading unconfirmed reports could worsen the grief of the bereaved family and create unnecessary fear among the public.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the corps member’s death are still in progress.