Emir of Kano, Sanusi II has spoken up on the abduction of a 13-year-old girl, Ms Ese Rita Oruru who was abducted in August 2015 from her home in Yenagoa, Bayelsa by an Islamist, taken to Kano, forced to change her religion and marry her abductor.
The Emir, speaking at a meeting on Monday, February 29, 2016 at a meeting with his Palace Council described the abduction as Ese Oruru as an “embarrassment”.
“I ordered Ese’s repatriation since September 2015, through the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 1. But to my surprise, the issue is still hanging between the Sharia commission, Hisbah, and police.
“Police are those behind this delay. I have done my best for her. It is unfortunate that the police are delaying this matter.
“I received phone calls from friends outside the shores of this country over Ese. What I knew was that the matter is something I had settled six months ago.”
You may read about Ese Rita Oruru who was abducted from her home in Bayelsa and taken to Kano and forced into marriage HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Sanusi II also told the council how he directed that the District Head of Kura, Sharia commission and Hisbah to investigate the allegation Ese raised over threats by her estranged parents to her life, adding that the report confirmed the allegation, while he had since requested police intervention to provide cover.
The emir also declared the marriage between Ese and her abductor as null and void. “Ese is underage and she cannot be married off.
“Every Muslim also knew that marriage cannot be without guidance. She must be taken back to her parents and can only marry when she is 18 years.
“It is unIslamic for someone to marry a lady without approval of the guardian. The abduction of Ese by my subject is worrisome because it will cause disunity among our people. I feel it is something we should urgently call to order.”
The emir also directed the Sharia commission to liaise with the Assistant Inspector General of Police and send the girl back to her family. It was gathered that the planned #BringBackEseOruru rally slated for Monday in Yenagoa by civil society organisations was suspended.
