…Civil Society Groups Demand Probe into Alleged Breach at Enugu Prison
The father of a 12-year-old girl allegedly abducted by an inmate of the Enugu Correctional Centre has criticised the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for what he described as a premature and uninvestigated denial of the incident.
Ogunsinasi Oluwaseyi, father of the missing girl, Oluwaseyi Favour, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that he was shocked by the speed at which the NCoS dismissed his claims. He faulted the service’s spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, for publicly denying the allegation without conducting a proper inquiry.
Oluwaseyi said he had personally visited the Enugu Correctional Centre on December 4, 2024, accompanied by four officers from the Special Operations, Intelligence and Tactical Unit attached to the Mile 1 Division in Port Harcourt. He claimed to have identified the suspect, an inmate named Chidiebere Chikezie—also known as “Chi-boy”—who was not in prison uniform and was wearing a wristwatch.
The distraught father further questioned how an inmate could have access to mobile phones and make video calls within the facility.
“To my greatest surprise, on April 20, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, speedily responded and debunked such a strong allegation, claiming that such a thing never happened,” Oluwaseyi said.
He accused the NCoS of denying the existence of the suspect and his own visit to the facility, despite having photographic evidence. He also raised concerns about the alleged release of the suspect’s wife, who he said was freed without due process.
“I just want my daughter back,” he said. “What will give me joy is for Favour to be released, especially as her birthday is on Saturday. I want everyone involved in this to be brought to justice.”
In response to the unfolding controversy, the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation has called for an immediate and independent investigation into what it described as a potential breach at the correctional facility.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Chairman Enefaa Georgewill criticised the NCoS’s reaction, calling it “laughable and embarrassing.” He demanded a public inquiry, including the release of the prison’s visitor log for December 4, and urged the Ministry of Interior to take charge of the probe.
“We expect transparency and accountability from the Nigerian Correctional Service, not blanket denials,” he said. “The public deserves answers.”
