The Bayelsa State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the death of a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Okebaram Stanley Chimaraoke, whose body was recovered from a creek in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

The corps member was reportedly found dead on Monday after he allegedly went swimming in the creek. Residents said the incident occurred during the outing, although the exact circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be officially established.

Police spokesperson DSP Musa Mohammed confirmed the incident and said detectives had begun a full investigation to determine what led to the corps member’s death.

Before his participation in the NYSC scheme, Chimaraoke served as President of the Students’ Union Government of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, in Imo State.

His death has drawn reactions from friends, former colleagues, and student groups, many of whom have called for a thorough investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa Comrade Family has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims that the deceased was murdered.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Comrade Ayakeme Paebi, the group said information available to it indicated that Chimaraoke accidentally drowned while swimming in the creek and not as a result of a violent attack.

The organisation cautioned media outlets, bloggers, and social media users against circulating unconfirmed reports, noting that misleading narratives could increase the grief of the deceased’s family and create unnecessary public anxiety.

The National Youth Service Corps has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as investigations continue.