ALLEGED DEFILEMENT SUSPECT ‘GOODNEWS’ FLEES POLICE DETENTION IN PORT HARCOURT

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

A male suspect identified as Goodnews, who was allegedly arrested for defiling a 16-year-old girl in the Rupokwu community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, has reportedly escaped from police custody.

The case was being handled by the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Port Harcourt.

It was gathered that the suspect escaped during a visit to the crime scene, which was part of ongoing investigative procedures.

The suspect had earlier been arrested by operatives of the Special Area Unit in Rumudomaya and transferred to the State CID in Port Harcourt last week.

The father of the victim, Mr. Prince, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the incident occurred when police officers took the suspect to their residence, which served as the alleged crime scene.

He explained that the suspect was not handcuffed at the time and was reportedly struggling to open a padlock at the apartment upstairs.

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According to him, he suggested using a hammer to break the lock and briefly went downstairs to get one.

He said that by the time he returned, the investigating police officer (IPO) informed him that the suspect had fled.

“He ran towards the direction the IPO claimed, but I did not see the suspect,” Prince said.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer and Executive Director of Lawyers Watch Justice International Initiative, Gbenga Oladapo, condemned the escape, describing it as shocking and unacceptable.

He said the incident reflected serious negligence and a failure of responsibility by the police, adding that it undermined public confidence and denied the victim a chance at justice.

Oladapo urged authorities to immediately launch a manhunt and ensure the suspect is re-arrested and prosecuted without delay.

He stressed that failure to apprehend the suspect again would amount to a denial of justice for the victim and a disservice to society.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the escape and disclosed that disciplinary action had begun against a police officer connected to the case.

She added that a directive had been issued for the suspect’s re-arrest, assuring that the police would update the public once he is apprehended.