By CHARLES IWUOHA

A human rights organisation, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), has petitioned Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah over the alleged abduction, unlawful detention and torture of three teenagers who were reportedly held captive for nearly three months in a residence within Heliu Estate along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

In a petition dated June 18, 2026, and signed by its President, Olu Omotayo, the group called for the governor’s urgent intervention to ensure justice for the victims and the prosecution of all those connected with what it described as a “heinous crime” and “crime against humanity.”

According to CRRAN, residents and managers of the estate were stunned on the evening of June 11 when three teenage boys identified as Joseph Ibangwu, Izuchukwu Junior and Miracle Tochukwu allegedly escaped from a house within the estate and raised the alarm.

The organisation said the teenagers appeared visibly weak, haggard and covered with wounds allegedly inflicted during their confinement.

“The teenagers who looked haggard with marks and wounds of torture all over their bodies told the residents that they have been confined to the house since 16th day of March 2026, by their captors,” Omotayo stated in the petition.

The rights group said the victims were subsequently handed over to officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who maintain a security office within the estate.

During interrogation, the teenagers reportedly told security officials that they had been brought from Ebonyi State to work for a resident of the estate occupying House Number HY193. However, upon arrival, they alleged that they were locked inside a room and had their mobile phones confiscated.

“They were surprised that immediately they came, they were confined to a room and their phones seized,” the petition stated.

The teenagers further alleged that throughout their captivity, they were fed only once daily with plain white rice and were subjected to regular beatings that left injuries across their bodies.

CRRAN also claimed that the victims told investigators their movements were heavily restricted and that they were constantly monitored through surveillance cameras mounted throughout the house.

The group said the teenagers eventually regained their freedom after what it described as a rare opportunity when their alleged captor mistakenly left a door unlocked.

“They miraculously managed to escape on the fateful day as their captor forgot to lock the door, and as he noticed from his phone which was connected to the cameras, he started to speed in his car back home, but it was too late as the captives had already escaped to the waiting hands of the residents who saw them,” Omotayo stated.

According to the petition, NSCDC operatives immediately arrested the suspect and later transferred him to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu for further investigation.

The three teenagers are currently receiving medical treatment for injuries allegedly sustained during their captivity.

Condemning the incident, CRRAN urged Governor Mbah to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

“We condemn this barbaric act of hostage taking in all ramifications,” the organisation stated.

“We urge you to urgently intervene in this matter. We trust and believe that you will take necessary action because of the zero tolerance of this government to crime/criminal activities.”

The group further called for the prosecution of all those involved in the alleged crime.

“We urge you to take necessary action in respect of this matter as the circumstances of this case demands and ensure prosecution of all the criminals involved in this barbarity. This is a heinous crime and it’s a crime against humanity. We cannot allow our society to degenerate to an animal kingdom where the rule of the jungle prevails.”

CRRAN said it was counting on the governor’s swift intervention to ensure accountability and reinforce public confidence in the state’s commitment to combating criminality.

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