Ese Abduction Saga: Okowa keeps tight-lipped …Omo-Agege assures Urhobo that all is well

The Delta Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and the State government have kept a tight-lipped over the abduction saga of a 14-year-old Delta born Ese Oruru by one Yinusa, aka Yellow, who also had her converted to Islam and forcefully married her.

While many Nigerians including Sen. Ben Morris Bruce, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayesla State, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, and many others, expressed outrage over the abduction the 14-year-old Ese who was abducted in Bayesla in August 2015, Govern Okowa kept mum.

It would be recalled that Yinusa, a tricycle driver, according media report took away the minor to Kano on August 12, 2015, from her mother’s shop in Opolo Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The mother, Mrs. Rose Oruru, on that faithful day left Ese and her siblings in the shop.

Yinusa allegedly seized the girl in her mother’s absence, and all effort by mother to seek the release of the girl at the Emir of Kano’s (Sanusi Lamido’s) palace, where she was reportedly kept met a stiff resistance, until media report and campaign led by THE PUNCH newspaper which draw people’s attention to the plight of the girl and her parents.

Many, who were shocked by the sordid story, have called on the Federal Government and all relevant authorities to ensure that the girl was release and reunited with her parent.

Many Deltans wondered why Governor Okowa and the Delta State government choose to maintain sordid-silence over the plight of Ese, who hails from Uwherun town in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State

Speaking on this development, an Urhobo activist, Comrade Akpos Oghenetega, frowned at the inaction of the Okowa led government to the plight of the poor girl who was forcefully taken from her parent over eight months ago.

“This has shown that we don’t have a government or governor who can protect Deltans, should their right be violated in other parts of Nigeria. One would have expected our governor to engage his counterpart in Kano State, but because he does not want to offend the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, he stayed off completely what a shame.” He added.

However, following constructive engagement between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the IGP has personally confirmed that that Ese Oruru will be released to the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police (CP) today in order to reunite her with her family.

Senator Omo-Agege had in a statement through his legislative Aide Mr. Efe Duku, admonished the Oruru family to remain strong at this trying moment. While urging everyone or organizations helping constructively not to back down until Ese is reunited with her family.

According to Sen. Omo-Agege, “The family needs to go through a proper healing process in order to come out of this ordeal imposed on them by what appears to be obvious criminality.

Without question, we trust the security agencies to deal with the crimes committed in this case in due time. But for now, our primary concern, like so many well-meaning persons, media organisations, NGOs and other groups, is Ese’s safe return to her parents and siblings.

This is not a media show for me, though we must thank the media, especially Punch newspaper for its bold approach to this issue. Urhobos, Deltans, Nigerians and indeed foreigners everywhere have been calling me for urgent result.

As a parent myself, I feel the pains of the Oruru family having interacted with them extensively on what happened and their plight. Resolving this matter is extremely important for our people. They are right to be very offended. I am pleased with the IG’s personal commitment to me this evening, (Yesterday).

I assure our people again that all will be well. Issues like this only test our resolve as leaders and followers alike. On behalf of our people, I must thank all who are working to free Ese, including the Oruru family for its extraordinary courage in extremely difficult circumstances.”