Family's Hope for Better Life Shattered by Corps Member's Murder

In a heart-wrenching interview, Okebaram Okanimee, the father of the late Chimaroke Okanimee, a former Student Union Government president of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, shares the family's tale of shattered dreams and the quest for justice. On July 24, 2026, Chimaroke's family last heard from him when he spoke with his brother, Tochukwu, in the morning. However, when Tochukwu tried to reach him later that evening, his phone was unreachable. Initially, the family thought it was due to poor network service, but their concerns grew when they couldn't reach him by Sunday. It wasn't until Monday that Okebaram's sons, Tochukwu, Chiyeaka, and Chibuike, traveled to Bayelsa State to search for Chimaroke, only to be met with the devastating news of his death. The NYSC officials in Bayelsa State showed them a video of Chimaroke's corpse, leaving the family in shock and grief. Chimaroke's father recalls that his son never complained about any misunderstandings with anyone, except for a minor incident where some boys in his neighborhood looked at him suspiciously. Despite being a private person, Chimaroke was well-loved, and his death has left a void in the family. Okebaram expresses his pain, stating that he would have preferred to die instead of his son, who was the family's hope for a better life. With six children, including a son with special needs, the family had invested all their resources in Chimaroke's education, hoping he would lift them out of poverty. Born on December 8, 1999, Chimaroke grew up to be a responsible and easy-going individual, who never sought to draw attention to himself. His death has not only shattered the family's dreams but also raised questions about the safety and security of corps members in the country.