Mathew Amaechi
The family of 12-year-old Favour Oluwaseyi, who was abducted from her home nearly ten months ago, is demanding swift and decisive action from the Rivers State Police Command to secure her release, warning of continued protests if nothing is done within 14 days.
On Monday, the girl’s family, joined by members of the Coalition of Rivers State Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), staged a peaceful demonstration at the police headquarters on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, urging authorities to rescue the child and prosecute those responsible.
Favour was kidnapped on August 7, 2024, from her family’s residence in Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Since then, her whereabouts have remained unknown, and her family says they’ve been met with delays and vague assurances from law enforcement.
At the protest, participants held up placards with messages like “Justice for Favour” and “God, arise and favour Favour”, calling attention to the girl’s continued absence and what they describe as the police’s failure to act decisively.
Enefa Georgewill, chairman of the Coalition of Rivers State CSOs, told journalists that enough time had passed without meaningful progress.
“If the police fail to act within the next two weeks, we will return here in our numbers and occupy this command,” Georgewill said. “We want to believe the new Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, means what he says, but we’ve heard promises before. It’s been nine months of waiting.”
Georgewill noted that the new Deputy Commissioner had invited the protesters into a meeting and pledged to give the case urgent attention.
For Favour’s father, Ogunsinasi Oluwaseyi, the past months have been defined by anguish and disillusionment.
“This has been a painful disappointment of the highest order from the Nigerian Police,” he said. “We are demanding justice for Favour, and we are demanding her unconditional release. Every person involved in this must be held accountable.”
The father recounted that the DCP Operations had assured them during the meeting that “within two weeks, everyone connected to this case will be called to order,” and expressed cautious optimism while making it clear the family’s patience is wearing thin.
“We want her alive,” Oluwaseyi emphasized. “We will not relent until Favour is back.”
The case continues to attract attention across Rivers State, with many urging security agencies to move beyond promises and take visible, result-driven steps toward bringing Favour home.
The Rivers State Police Command has yet to issue a public statement on the latest protest or updates on the case.