The Rivers State Civil Society Organisations (RIVCSO) has urged the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to launch an immediate investigation into the abduction of 12-year-old Favour Oluwaseyi, who was kidnapped on August 7, 2024, in Port Harcourt.
Chairman of RIVCSO, Enefaa Georgewill, made the appeal in response to a statement credited to Umar Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), concerning the alleged involvement of a suspect, Chidiebere Chikezie, also known as “Chi-Boy,” currently said to be held at the Enugu Correctional Facility.
Georgewill described the NCoS’s dismissal of the allegations as “laughable, provocative, and deeply troubling,” stressing that the Service’s hasty denial undermines public trust and accountability.
“The attention of RIVCSO has been drawn to a false and provocative statement credited to the NCoS PRO concerning the kidnapping of 12-year-old Favour Oluwaseyi, who was lured from her father’s sitting room by a friend,” Georgewill said.
He challenged the NCoS to release concrete evidence, including the Enugu Correctional Facility’s visitors’ register for December 4, 2024, which the victim’s father claims would show a visit involving himself and law enforcement officials.
“Given the gravity of the situation, we challenge the Nigeria Correctional Service, we demand an open, transparent investigation and call for the immediate release of relevant records. If our claims are found to be true, the NCoS must take swift action, including the dismissal of its spokesperson, Umar Abubakar,” he said.
“According to the father to Favour Oluwaseyi, the real name of the suspect at the Enugu Correctional Service’s is Chidiebere Chikezie AkA Chi-Boy.
“The public deserves to know the truth. An open probe and release of relevant records will help bring those responsible to justice. We can not afford to have correctional facilities compromised by corruption, enabling criminals to continue their nefarious activities.”
Also Read: RIVCSO Demands Arrest of Kidnap Suspect at Enugu NCS
In a further development, the victim’s father, Ogunsinasi Oluwaseyi, alleged that he was defrauded of ₦250,000 by a police officer identified as Jim Bariene Legbarane, attached to the Rivers State Police Command, during the course of the investigation.
“In the process of seeking justice for my daughter, Officer Legbarane took ₦250,000 from me under the pretense of tracking and arresting the suspect. Despite this, no progress has been made, and he even demanded an additional ₦300,000, allegedly on behalf of the then-Commissioner of Police,” Oluwaseyi said.
He added that petitions to the police command yielded no action, as the officer in question was never summoned to explain his conduct.
Oluwaseyi called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police to order the Rivers State Police Commissioner to act swiftly in investigating both the abduction and the alleged extortion.
He also made a passionate plea for the safe return of his daughter, stating that he holds evidence against both the suspected kidnapper and the errant police officer.
RIVCSO reiterated its demand for full cooperation from the Nigeria Correctional Service and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure justice is served and public confidence restored.
