A suspect accused of defiling a 16-year-old girl in Rivers State has escaped from police custody during a visit to the scene of the alleged crime, sparking widespread outrage and criticism from members of the public and legal advocates. The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, when the suspect, identified only as Mr Goodnews, was accompanying an Investigating Police Officer (IPO) from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Port Harcourt, to the scene at Apu Road, Rumuokwuta axis of Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Council.
The suspect had been arrested earlier by operatives of the Special Area Division, Rumudomaya, on allegations of defilement. He was subsequently transferred to the SCIID in Port Harcourt for further investigation. During the visit to reconstruct events, the suspect reportedly escaped while the IPO and the victim's family were present.
Father Narrates Incident
Speaking to journalists, the father of the alleged victim detailed how the escape occurred. According to him, the police team, along with the suspect and family members, went to the suspect's residence within their compound. He alleged that the suspect was not handcuffed during the visit. The father explained that the suspect struggled to open the padlock to his upstairs apartment. He suggested using a hammer to break the padlock and went downstairs to retrieve one. Upon returning, he saw the IPO descending from the upper floor and was informed that the suspect had fled. He immediately ran in the direction the officer indicated but could not locate the suspect.
Legal and Public Outcry
The escape has drawn strong reactions from legal practitioners and child rights advocates, who described it as disturbing and unacceptable. Gbenga Oladapo, a legal practitioner and Executive Director of Lawyers Watch Justice International Initiative, condemned the incident as extremely ridiculous. He stated, "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." He urged the police to intensify efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspect.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, ASP Agabe Kaborlo, confirmed the escape during the investigation process. He assured that efforts were ongoing to track down and re-arrest the suspect.
