A 27-year-old corps member and former Students’ Union Government President of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, Okebaram Stanley Chimaroke, has been found dead in Nembe, Bayelsa State, under circumstances that have left his family, friends, and the Nigerian student community demanding answers.
Chimaroke, a Civil Engineering graduate serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nembe Local Government Area, was reported missing after fellow corps members could no longer reach him on the evening of July 24, 2026.
Repeated calls to his mobile phone went unanswered, prompting concern among colleagues. The incident was reported to the Bayelsa State Police Command on July 25, triggering a search operation involving security personnel and members of the local community.
Days later, the search ended in heartbreak. His body was recovered from a body of water in Nembe, bringing a tragic end to days of uncertainty.
Reports circulating among corps members and on social media have alleged that he may have been attacked before his body was found in the water. However, neither the Bayelsa State Police Command nor the NYSC has confirmed those claims, with police maintaining that investigations are ongoing and the cause of death will only be determined after inquiries are completed.
The NYSC in Bayelsa State has remained largely silent on the matter. An official who spoke confidentially said the scheme decided not to issue further statements while security agencies investigate.
For those who knew him, the tragedy is difficult to accept. As SUG President of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede during the 2022/2023 academic session, Chimaroke was known as an outspoken advocate for students’ welfare, described by friends and classmates as approachable, disciplined, and deeply committed to service.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has since mourned his passing and called for a full investigation. In a statement signed by the President of the NANS Senate, Distinguished Senator Ibeabuchi Moses Onyia, the association described the incident as a painful loss to the Nigerian student movement.
“Comrade Stanley was, at the time of his passing, serving the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a member of the National Youth Service Corps in Bayelsa State, a season of service he embraced with the same dedication, discipline, and patriotism that defined his years as a student leader,” the statement read.
NANS called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the NYSC Directorate, and the Bayelsa State Government to immediately commence a thorough and transparent investigation.
“Nigerian students and corps members deserve nothing less than the full protection of the law and the assurance that their lives and safety are valued while in service to their fatherland,” the association stated.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of corps members posted to remote and riverine communities, where difficult terrain, limited communication networks, and delayed emergency response remain persistent challenges.
Investigations are ongoing. For Chimaroke’s family and those who knew him, the only thing they seek is a full account of what happened in Nembe and the assurance that his death will not go unresolved.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
