Tope Oshin
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi II, has described the abduction of 14-year-old Ese Oruru from Bayelsa State by one of his subjects as an embarrassment, Punch reports.
Sanusi spoke on Monday after a meeting with members of his council over the issue.
He explained that he had received two calls from people in faraway South Africa on Monday over the matter.
The emir further explained that when the matter was first brought to his attention in September 2015, he ordered her immediate return to her parents after it was established that she was underage.
He, however, expressed surprise that the matter still lingered months after he gave the instruction.
Sanusi said, “I ordered her return since September 2015, through the Office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 1.
“But to my surprise, the issue was still with the Sharia Commission, Hisbah (religious police) and the Police.
“The matter is worrisome, to the extent that two people phoned me in the morning today from South Africa over the matter. I told them clearly that I had directed her return since the last six months.
“I can also remember that I ordered the district head of Kura, the Sharia Commission and Hisbah, to investigate the allegation she (Ese) raised that her mother wanted to kill her.
“They confirmed to me that the allegation raised by Ese was true. I requested police intervention just to get her a cover to take her back home.
“I think it was the police authorities that caused the delay. I have done my best for her and even directed for action. It’s unfortunate that the police delayed this matter which has embarrassed us.
“Ese is underage and she can’t be married off as an underage girl. Every Muslim also knows that marriage can’t be without guidance. She must be taken back to her parents; she can only marry when she reaches the age of 18.”
The Emir further said, “It is un-Islamic for someone to marry a lady without guidance. This abduction of Ese by my subject to Kano is bad because it will cause disunity among our people.”
Sanusi reiterated his directive to the Sharia Commission to immediately return the girl to her family, adding that “this issue is something that is unbecoming among our people”.
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