A Nigerian man has sparked widespread conversations on social media after recounting the emotional story of a boy who was allegedly imprisoned for 47 years after accidentally damaging a parked vehicle in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The story, which has gone viral online, has drawn sympathy from many Nigerians while also raising questions about the accuracy of the claims, as no official records have been presented to verify the account. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
According to the narrator, the incident occurred when the boy was just 13 years old and was helping his father sell sugarcane using a wheelbarrow.
He claimed the boy moved beneath a tree to escape the intense heat while pushing the wheelbarrow. During the process, the wheelbarrow reportedly struck a parked car, causing one of its headlamps to fall off.
The narrator said the boy could not locate the vehicle’s owner and chose to remain at the scene because he felt it would be wrong to leave without explaining what had happened.
It was further alleged that the car owner, who had been attending prayers at a nearby mosque, later returned, contacted the police, and the boy was subsequently taken into custody.
The man alleged that the teenager was eventually imprisoned and spent the next 47 years in different correctional facilities across Nigeria.
According to his account, the boy regained his freedom only after receiving a gubernatorial pardon decades later.
Sharing the emotional story, the narrator wrote:
“Recently, this 13-year-old boy was released from prison after spending 47 years behind bars. He came out at the age of 60.”
He also claimed the former inmate was transferred between several prisons throughout his incarceration.
The viral post has generated thousands of reactions across social media platforms.
While many users described the story as heartbreaking and expressed concern about the country’s justice system, others questioned its credibility due to the absence of official court documents, prison records, or statements from relevant authorities.
Several commenters called for independent verification of the claims before accepting the story as factual.
The narrator ended his post with the words:
“May Nigeria never happen to you.”
The statement has since been widely shared online as discussions continue around justice, accountability, and the treatment of vulnerable citizens.
As of the time of this report, Eyes Of Lagos has not independently verified the claims contained in the viral post. No official statement has been issued by the Nigerian Correctional Service or other relevant authorities confirming the alleged incident.
Readers are advised to treat the story as an unverified viral claim until further evidence or official confirmation becomes available.
