A male suspect identified as Goodnews, who was arrested over the alleged defilement of a 16-year-old girl at Apu Road, Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, has reportedly escaped from police custody in Rivers State.
Sources said the suspect fled while in the custody of an Investigating Police Officer (IPO) from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Port Harcourt, during a visit to the scene of the alleged crime as part of ongoing investigative procedures.
The father of the victim, Mr Prince, in an interview with our Prince told our correspondent, narrated that when they got to the scene of the crime, which is their compound, the suspect, who was not handcuffed by the IPO, found it difficult to open the padlock used to lock his door.
Prince disclosed further that he suggested a hammer be used in breaking the padlock. “I took an excuse from the IPO and went to my apartment downstairs to bring a hammer,” he said.
According to him, when he brought the hammer, he saw the IPO coming down the stairs and informed him that the suspect had escaped. “I ran towards the direction the IPO claimed the suspect took, but I did not see the suspect,” he said.
Related News: http://Man Arrested for Alleged Defilement of Neighbour’s 16-Year-Old Daughter
Meanwhile, a human rights lawyer and Executive Director of Lawyers Watch Justice International Initiative, Gbenga Oladapo, has described the development as ridiculous.
“It is extremely ridiculous that the Police would come out to say that. This is not just negligence; it is a betrayal of the victim, her family, and every Nigerian child who deserves protection under the law.
“The Police should do everything in their power to declare a manhunt to re-arrest this man and make sure he faces the law in due cause.
“They have failed the public, they have denied the victim justice if the suspect is not re-arrested, and this is not good for the entire society and particularly the Nigerian child,” Oladapo said.
Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, confirmed the incident.
ASP Agabe said, ” efforts are on to re-arrest the fleeing suspect as the investigation is ongoing”.
Recall that the suspect was earlier arrested by operatives of Special Area Rumuodomaya and transferred to SCIID, Port Harcourt, last week.
