#FreeEse: Nigerians express anger over abduction, forced marriage of teenager

Ese Oruru

Nigerians have expressed outrage over the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl identified as Ese Oruru by one Yinusa, aka Yellow, who took her to Kano, converted her to Islam and forced her into marriage.

According to reports, Yinusa, a tricycle driver, took the then 13-year-old to Kano on August 12, 2015, from her mother’s shop in Opolo Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

Yinusa allegedly abducted Ese after her mother, Mrs. Rose Oruru, had gone out on the day leaving the girl and her siblings in the shop.

Efforts to get the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi Lamido (Muhammadu Sanusi II), whose palace the girl was said to have been taken to, to intervene has reportedly proved abortive.

Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, was quoted to have said the girl was dependent on the intervention of the emir.

Arase said this in an interview with PUNCH Sunday, adding that the delay in Ese’s release was a result of the emir’s trip to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

“I have just spoken with the Sunday PUNCH’s editor. I explained to her about the delay. The police command in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, actually followed up the matter right from Kano State.

“The emir decided that he was going to mediate. But, because of his trip to Mecca with the president. That was what caused the delay. But now that he is back, we are going to sort it out as quickly as possible,” Arase said.

Asked how soon Nigerians should expect the release of Ese, the police chief added: “Well, that is dependent on the intervention of the Emir. We have agreed to resolve the matter. I cannot give a timeline.”

Furious Nigerians have taken to social media to demand the immediate release of the girl and prosecution of all those linked to her abduction.

Their reactions below: