More than seven months after Lieutenant Yakub Ndahi of the Nigerian Navy, his wife, and their young son mysteriously vanished, there has been no breakthrough in their search.
The silence from the Navy regarding the case has raised concerns among family members and observers.
Ndahi and his family were last seen on August 10 while traveling from Lagos to Calabar, where he was to report for duty at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory. Their sudden disappearance remains a mystery, and despite initial efforts, no substantial information has emerged about their whereabouts.
Navy’s Covert Search Yields No Results
A close associate of the Ndahi family confirmed on Sunday that there has been no update on their location. According to sources, the Nigerian Navy deployed a Special Boat Service (SBS) team to the southeastern region—their last known location—on a discreet search mission. However, the effort yielded no results.
“Nothing significant has come from the search operations,” the source revealed. “A covert team was sent, but they were unable to trace the family.”
Adding to the family’s frustration, it was reported that the Navy initially discouraged them from filing an official missing persons’ report. A review of the Navy’s official social media pages and statements shows no public acknowledgment of the disappearance.
A Disappearance That Raises Questions
On the morning of August 10, Ndahi packed his belongings from his residence at the Kirikiri Navy camp in Lagos into his Lexus 300 SUV. Alongside his wife, Alechenu Ann Ladi, and their five-year-old son, Nathaniel, he embarked on the journey to his new posting at NNS Victory, Calabar. Among their possessions were household essentials, his son’s bicycle, and his wife’s sewing machine, which she used to make backpacks for local children.
Since that fateful departure, there has been no communication or sighting of the family, and they never arrived at their destination.
Nigerian Navy’s Handling of the Case Under Scrutiny
An insider with knowledge of the situation has criticized the Navy’s approach to the matter, describing it as indifferent and lacking urgency. According to the source, the Navy headquarters was initially unaware that one of its officers had gone missing.
“It took a week before anyone realized he hadn’t arrived at his new posting,” the source disclosed. “Even then, naval headquarters had no immediate knowledge of his disappearance, and no formal steps were taken to declare him missing.”
Attempts by Ndahi’s colleagues to escalate the case resulted in slow responses, and it reportedly took three weeks before the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Emmanuel Ogalla, was formally informed. Despite claims that an investigation had commenced, no public updates or findings have been shared.
Speculations and Possible Leads
The reluctance of the Navy to acknowledge or publicize the disappearance has fueled speculation. Some believe it is an attempt to protect the institution’s image.
“It’s shocking that they are suppressing efforts to officially declare him missing,” the source continued. “Even when a post surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), it did not acknowledge that he was a military officer. This raises questions about their motives.”
Tracking data reportedly showed that Ndahi’s last known location was in Imo State before all communication was lost. This has led to concerns that he and his family may have been abducted. One prevailing theory is that they might have fallen into the hands of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“There is a strong suspicion that he was kidnapped,” the insider said. “The Navy tracked his phone to a location in Imo State, after which nothing was heard. If ESN was responsible, it is possible they later discovered he was military personnel, which could be dangerous.”
A Pattern of Silence?
This is not the first time such incidents have allegedly been covered up. The source pointed to a past case where a naval officer was kidnapped in Cross River State.
“A few years ago, an officer was abducted, and the Navy kept it quiet until his coursemates paid the ransom,” the source recalled. “This culture of silence is alarming because it endangers personnel rather than protecting them.”
Despite speculation, the family has not been found, and there is no confirmation of an accident or foul play. For now, the case of Lieutenant Yakub Ndahi, his wife, and his son remains a troubling mystery—one that demands urgent attention and transparency from the Nigerian Navy.
