A Nigerian man who reportedly disappeared at the age of 14 was found alive nearly two decades later in a correctional facility.

According to reports, Gospel Kinanee, an indigene of Ogoni in Rivers State, went missing in 2007 after being home to play with friends.

His family searched extensively in nearby communities, police stations, hospitals and correctional centres but found no trace of him. Overtime, they believed he had died.

Eighteen years later, lawyers conducting a prison welfare visit reportedly discovered him at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

Reports indicate that Kinanee, now 32, was unable to clearly remember how he ended up in custody due to the effects of spending many years in detention.

The case has also raised serious concerns after reports suggested there were no clear records identifying the offence for which he was detained, the officers who arrested him, or the court proceedings that led to his prolonged incarceration.