Cross River State, Engr. Odanxiety, frustration, and painful silence continue to engulf their families, colleagues, and the wider University of Cross River (UNICROSS) community.
Despite their social relevance and contributions to the state, no concrete update has emerged from the Cross River State Government or the security agencies assigned to investigate their disappearance.
The pair, Engr. Odu Emmanuel, a former Student Union Government (SUG) President of the then Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), now UNICROSS, and Hon. Vincent Ndifon, a serving councilor in Akamkpa Local Government Area, vanished on May 23, 2025, under circumstances that remain baffling.
A Journey That Never Ended According to initial reports both men had traveled to Lagos to purchase a car (a Mercedes Benz SUV). They reportedly began their return journey back to Cross River State and were last heard from while they were passing through Imo State.
Their final communication indicated they were already within the Okigwe axis, a region that has become notably volatile in recent years due to criminal activity and pockets of insecurity.
Mercedes Benz they went to purchase It was during this return trip that their phones suddenly went off. Since then, all attempts to contact them have failed, and their mobile lines remain permanently switched off.
Family Describes Endless Pain and Government Silence In an exclusive WhatsApp conversation with News Week Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Okon Effiong, nephew to the missing councilor, recounted the trauma and the helplessness that the family has endured for six agonizing months.
not just an institution’s loss. It is a human crisis.” He reminded the public of Odu’s vital role as Exam Officer and of Vincent’s impact as a lecturer and a family man: “These are men who built futures, empowered talent, and invested in the next generation. Their families wake up every morning not knowing if they are safe. Their children are growing up with fear instead of the warmth of their fathers’ voices.”
The UNICROSS community is now calling for a full re-escalation of the investigation — involving security agencies, government authorities, civil society, and the media. Their message is simple: Bring back visibility to the case. A Plea for Humanity Their passionate appeal concludes: “This is not just a campaign; it is a moral responsibility. The families are waiting. Their students are waiting. Their community is waiting. Humanity must respond.” The hashtags #FindOduFindVincent have begun resurfacing on social media as students and activists renew calls for justice.
Questions Still Unanswered As months drift into uncertainty, several pressing questions remain: Why has the Cross River State Government maintained complete silence? What has become of the joint investigation with Imo State authorities? Why was no nationwide alert or official statement issued, considering the victims’ positions? Where does the investigation stand today? With no updates, no press briefings, and no official acknowledgment, the families and the community are left feeling abandoned, victims not only of disappearance but of government indifference. Six months later, the mystery remains. And the silence grows louder.