The Senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray Bruce on Monday disclosed that he has contacted the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, to demand the immediate release of 14-year-old Ese Oruru, who was allegedly abducted last August in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, by a Kano indigene, named Yunusa.
Reports have it that Ese, who was 13 as at the time of her alleged abduction was taken to Kano by Yunusa, who converted her to Islam and married her. Parents of the girl had reportedly made several trips to Kano, where they unraveled the plights of their daughter.
The parents said they have involved the police, but efforts to get the Emir of Kano, at whose palace the girl is believed to be held to resolve the matter and ensure the return of the 14-year-old to them failed to yield positive result.
But while noting that the monarch has cleared himself of any complicity in the abduction, the activist-Senator came hard on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, for failing to rescue Ese from her abductor.
He posted on Twitter that, “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.”
But explaining to Nigerians why they have not heard from him on the matter, he tweeted: “I have been on an international flight without Internet and just landed at MMA only to be briefed on the abduction of Ese.”
Other tweets of his on the matter read: “After being briefed I have consulted to establish the facts of the matter. Having done so, I make the following statement”. “IGP Arase, Ese is a minor and cant consent to marry. The CONSTITUTION is clear. Your duty is to ensure her release to her parents”.
“The CONSTITUTION of Nigeria respects no person. To pick and choose on whom it should apply is UNCONSTITUTIONAL”.
“Your statement that Ese’s release is “dependent” on persons is sad. Her release is GUARANTEED by the CONSTITUTION. Ensure you free Ese”
“If you refuse to enforce the Nigerian CONSTITUTION this matter will be escalated to The United Nations Commission on Human Rights”.
“The IGP is in a pole position to show that there are no sacred cows in Nigeria and everyone is equal before the law”.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has said the Emir of Kano’s Hajj trip is responsible for the delay in securing the release of 14-year-old Ese Oruru, who is being held captive in Kano State.
Arase said this on Sunday after the launch of a “Free Ese” Campaign by Punch newspaper, which drew the attention of thousands of Nigerians to the plight of the Orurus, causing outrage over the shocking story.
“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 told The Punch.
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