By Ameh Gabriel
The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to an online publication alleging complicity in the kidnapping of a 12-year-old girl in Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement issued on 20th April 2025, by Umar Abubakar, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Public Relations Officer
According to the statement the Service, wishes to unequivocally debunk the story as false, malicious, and a figment of the writer’s imagination, aimed at misleading the general public.
Available Records show that the Enugu State Command has no inmate in any of its facilities bearing ‘Chi boy.’ That the reporter was not able to provide the full names of the said inmate shows that the report is frivolous, untrue and lacks credibility.
The Nigerian Correctional Service categorically states that it is not aware of any kidnapping in Rivers State or any other Command as alleged both in the press statement and the viral video, nor was there any time an investigative agency tracked any kidnapper to any facility in Enugu or Delta state Commands. Therefore, the Service is not in the position to confirm payment of ransom or transaction whatsoever, as alleged in the fictitious report and video.
The Service has no role in the said kidnap story, and as a security organization, it does not operate in isolation; rather, it partners with sister agencies to ensure adequate security. The Service will never turn down requests for investigation activities from sister agencies.
The said Enaafe Georgewill, who addressed the press, has at no time visited the Command or any of its Custodial Centres to confirm his claims. Same applies to the author of the unauthenticated viral video It is therefore of note that their claims are malicious and intended to tarnish the image of the Service.
The Nigerian Correctional Service is a disciplined security organization that will not aid or abate criminal activities of any kind and therefore enjoys media organisations to always fact-check reports before publication to avoid sending wrong information to the public
