Tension is mounting high in Bayelsa state over the abduction and
forced marriage of 13 year-old Ese Rita Oruru by one Yinusa who resides
in Kano.
Yinusa who resides in Opolo, Yenagoa, had abducted Ese on August 12
2015 and eloped with her to Kano and has refused to allow her return
home.
The parents of the victim, Mr. and Mrs. Oruru, who had made several
visits to Kano to secure the release of their daughter, have been
unsuccesful as Yinusa’s kinsmen insisted that Ese, who they now refer to
as ‘Aisha’, belongs to them as they are ready to pay the necessary
bride price.
The Orurus reported the matter to the Police and the Department of
State Security (DSS) and their promise to bring home Ese has remained
unfulfilled forcing the parents to take the issue to youth and civil
society groups.
In a press conference addressed by Mr. Kizito Andah of the Child
Protection Network, he said civil society and youth groups in Bayelsa
are ready to stage a protest and press home the demand for the release
of Ese from the custody of her abductors.
Andah, who lamented that both the Nigeria Police and the DSS have
been unable to secure the release of Ese, warned against an
ethno-religious crisis which the abduction and forceful conversion into
Islam could trigger in Bayelsa state.
He said CPN was demanding that Nigerians prevail on all relevant
authorities to ensure that Ese is released and her abductors are
punished in line with the laws of the land.
“We strongly believe that the said Miss Ese Rita Oruruhas not only
has been hypnotized but also recruited as a tool in the hand of an
Islamic fanatical group in Kano State. Miss Ese Rita Oruru is only
13-years-old and cannot give informed consent to marriage and is still
held hostage. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Oruru are petty traders who are
putting all efforts to meet the needs of their children.”
Securing the return of Miss Ese Rita Oruru would be not only make
history in our strong desire to continually protect our children, but
also reemphasize and stamp our indelible position against the acts of
these culprits. We, therefore, call for all to join our voices to
prevail on the Kano State Government, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido
Sanusi, to urgently release Miss Ese Rita Oruru, and demand for the
prosecution of her abductors under the appropriate law and jurisdiction
as it is of urgent national security and public interest.”
Sun
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