#FreeEse: Emir of Kano, Ben Bruce, Mama Taraba wade in

The alleged abduction and forceful marriage of 14-year-old Miss Ese Oru a resident of Bayelsa State last year by a man identified as Yinusa, a Kano based indigene has continued to raise disapproval from well-meaning Nigerians.

Ese, an indigene of Delta State, based in Yenagoa, was reportedly taken away by force from her parents on the 12th of August last year around the Opolo Local Government Area of the state by Yinusa without the permission of her parents who have been pleading for the return of their daughter who was aged 13 at the time of her abduction.

Ever since her story became public notice, several Nigerians such as the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase among other prominent Nigerian’s have been approached to ensure Ese returns safely to her parents to no avail.

Her continued abduction has drawn the ire of more prominent Nigerian’s calling for her quick release with the Senator representing Bayelsa East Mr. Ben Murray Bruce of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) informing via a Twitter post through his handle that he has contacting the Emir of Kano over the issue.

“I just got off the phone with the Emir of Kano. He has exonerated himself and has provided documental evidence to this effect on Ese’s case. However, I will not relent until Ese is freed and released back to her parents,” he tweeted.

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The Minister of women Affairs Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba, has also voiced her concern over Ese’s abduction and forced marriage vowing to bring Yinusa, the perpetrator to book.

“No culture, religion or personal conviction supersedes the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ese Oruru must return home,” she disclosed this via her Twitter handle.

“The case of Ese Oruru was brought to my attention yesterday and I have been looking into it since. Our laws are very clear on the case; Ese Oruru is 14 and as such cannot consent to marriage. Any such union she’s in is illegal”.

“No culture, religion or personal conviction supersedes the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ese Oruru must return home. My ministry is on this case and we will ensure full prosecution of anyone who is found to have contravened the law. Ese’s case has brought to the fore the need to protect the rights of children and women in our society and we won’t relent”. She concluded.

The Emir of Kano, Malam Muhmmadu Sanusi also made an official comment on the issue on Monday when he ordered the state Sharia Commission to liaise with the office of the Assistant General of police, zone 1 in order to commence the process of returning Ese back to her parents and prosecute Yinusa according to the law.

He also used the medium to clear the perception that himself and the Kano emirate council from the claimed abduction of Ese by her suspected lover Yinusa.

“I have ordered the sharia commission to liaise with the office of Deputy Inspector General of police zone to repatriate and reconcile the teenager with her family immediately”.

 

 

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