RismadarVoice Reporters, May 30, 2026
A family in Rivers State is demanding justice after their younger brother, who disappeared at the age of 14, was discovered 18 years later in a Port Harcourt correctional facility without any clear record of why he had been detained.
Gospel Kinanee, now 32, reportedly vanished from his community in 2007 after leaving home to play with friends. According to his elder brother, the family launched an extensive search that spanned police stations, hospitals, prisons, and neighbouring communities, but no trace of him was found.
For years, relatives believed he was dead. The emotional toll of his disappearance was devastating, with his parents reportedly dying in the same year after struggling to cope with the trauma and uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts.
The family’s ordeal took an unexpected turn in early 2025 when they received information that Gospel had been located inside the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. Initially sceptical, relatives travelled to confirm the claim and were stunned to find him alive but battling severe mental health challenges.
His brother said Gospel was unable to recognise family members and appeared mentally unstable after spending nearly two decades in custody. According to the family, he had no known health issues before his disappearance and was an active school pupil at the time.
The discovery was reportedly made during a prison welfare and inmate rehabilitation exercise conducted by a team of lawyers led by human rights advocate Cyrus Onu. Following legal intervention, the Chief Judge of Rivers State granted clemency, leading to Gospel’s release.
Since regaining his freedom, Gospel has been undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. Family members say several medical examinations have been conducted, with doctors reportedly finding no major physical health concerns apart from his mental condition.
The circumstances surrounding his imprisonment remain unclear. According to the family, correctional authorities have not provided any convincing explanation regarding how he ended up in custody or why he remained incarcerated for 18 years without apparent legal resolution.
The case has sparked concerns about prolonged detention, prison oversight, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals within the criminal justice system. Family members claim that no case file or documented offence has been presented to justify his incarceration.
The family has now initiated legal action against relevant authorities, seeking accountability and compensation for what they describe as a grave miscarriage of justice. They argue that Gospel lost his childhood, education, and opportunities for a productive future, while the family suffered emotional and financial devastation during the years he was missing.
According to his brother, the family is not only seeking financial compensation but also long-term support to aid Gospel’s rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Despite the challenges, relatives say they remain grateful that he was found alive after nearly two decades. However, they insist that justice must be served to ensure accountability and prevent similar cases from occurring in the future.
As legal proceedings continue, the case has drawn attention to the plight of detainees whose circumstances may have been overlooked within the correctional system, raising broader questions about due process, record-keeping, and the protection of fundamental human rights.
