Photo: Graduate Missing On His Way From Lagos To Niger After Collecting BSC Certificate

Only
God can judge ritualists and kidnappers, only He can. They are lucky He is a
merciful God, if only God wasn’t, it would have been a thing of joy to know
they will rot in hell. The pains they make people go through, family members,
mothers, is just unbearable. Read the story of this fresh 27-year old graduate
who went to his school, the North American University, Cotonou, Benin to pick
up his BSC certificate, spent a night at his friend’s place in Lagos only to
head back home in the morning (Niger State) and shortly after informing his
father that he was already in a bus back home, the unexpected happened. As you
read this, they are still looking for Valentine Jegede, so how won’t God judge
them. His story after the cut…

A
graduate of computer science, Valentine Jegede, has gone missing on the way to
his hometown in Kanji, Niger State, after collecting his Bachelor of Science
degree certificate.

It
was learnt that the 27-year-old man had left Kanji on April 28 to collect his
result at the North American University, Cotonou, Benin Republic in preparation
for the National Youth Service Corps exercise.

Valentine
was billed to go to the orientation camp of the corps on Tuesday in Cross River
State, where he was posted.

Our
correspondent gathered that on his way back from the school, he stopped by in
Lagos and passed the night at his friend’s house in Ijede, Ikorodu. He
reportedly left for Kanji around 9am on Monday.

The
father, Oluwaseun, said his son called him when he was at a motor park,
informing him that he was in a bus en route to Kanji. He added that he had been
basking in excitement and waiting for his son’s arrival to celebrate the
result.

He
said, “He told me on the phone that he was at a motor park and that the bus
would soon take off.

“One
hour later, I tried to get across to him, but his line indicated that it was
not reachable. I became confused when it was evening and I did not hear from
him.

“I
called his friend’s mother, but she was confused too. We have been in darkness
since then. We have no idea of where he could have gone to. I just pray he is
safe wherever he may be. I jubilated when he informed me that he had collected
his result and I promised him a special celebration. He was preparing for his
NYSC. The family is in deep sorrow now. Her mother has been crying.”

Valentine’s
mother, Ronke Jegede, who also spoke with Punch Metro, appealed to the public
to avail the family of any information that could lead to her son’s
whereabouts. She described him as God-fearing and obedient.

“He
is my first son and they are only two. Please pray along with us for Valentine
to come back home safe. I believe it is not big for God to do. He is gentle and
God-fearing.

Deji’s
mother, Mrs. Ajaguna Jumoke, said she received the news of Valentine’s missing
with shock. She said she had reported the incident at the police stations in
Ikorodu.

“I
was in the office when his dad notified me. It seemed like magic. That very day
when he wanted to leave, I gave him N1,000 to buy recharge card and he prayed
for me. I told him we will fast and pray for him to have a hitch-free NYSC
orientation. He ought to have been in camp since Tuesday. His friend, Deji is
supposed to go for NYSC too this year, but he is sick.

“I reported
at the Ipakodo and Sagamu Road police stations. The police said they would try
their best to ensure he is found. I also went to a motor park in Ikorodu, but I
could not trace him. He told me he would board a bus there. A woman told me
police raided the park in the morning because of a riot. I was showed those
that were arrested when I went to Area N but he was not there.”

The
Lagos State Police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu promised to get back to our
correspondent.

 Punch