Heavy security in Yenagoa as Ese returns

Heavy security in Yenagoa as Ese returns

Kolawole (left) and Mrs Oruru during a press briefing on the police re-unite Ese with her mother in Abuja…yesterday.

Ese Rita Oruru, the 14-year-old girl who was taken from Yenagoa to Kano, converted to Islam and forced into marriage,  last night arrived in the Bayelsa State capital, under heavy police protection.

Ese, who arrived with her mother under the cover of darkness, was driven to the Police Officers’ Mess.

The police shielded her, preventing reporters from catching a glimpse of the girl whose abduction caused an uproar.

Cameras were not allowed around the premises.

Reporters were barred from the mess by security operatives.

At the time of filling this report, reporters were still keeping vigil around the Mess, expecting either the police or members of the civil society groups to address them.

The secrecy surrounding Ese’s arrival also fueled suspicion that she could be pregnant.

Her father’s telephone number was switched off while some of her siblings allowed their phones to ring out without answering their calls.

There were indications that the family members had been warned by the police  against speaking on Ese’s matter to reporters.

It was gathered that Ese might either pass the night at the officers’ mess or taken home at a quiet time in the night.

Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police  Peter Ogunyawo, confirmed that Ese was finally back to Yenagoa.

The police boss emerged from the Police Officers’ Mess and told reporters: “I can confidently tell you that she is in Bayelsa and she is right where you are now, hale and hearty.

“We are just trying to counsel her as you can see my wife just finished speaking with her. And that is what we intend doing in the next few days.”

On reports that Ese is pregnant, Ogunyawo said: “About the pregnancy, I am a police officer and not a police doctor, so I wouldn’t know about that; It is for her parents to decide whether she will go for a pregnancy test or not”.

Is 14-year-old Ese pregnant? That is one of the riddles the police will determine with the medical and psychological tests being conducted on her.

Though her status remained unconfirmed last night, sources said the white Hijab she wore when she was taken to the Police Headquarters on Tuesday might have been used to cover her pregnancy.

Her physical condition, it was learnt, gave her away as an expectant minor.

It was learnt that her state might have compelled the Force Headquarters to change their trip back to Yenagoa from road to air travel.

Ese and her mother, Rose, were reportedly directed by the police to undertake their journey by air instead of by road.

The freed minor and her mother were expected to fly to the Port-Harcourt Airport, Rivers State, to complete the journey to Yenagoa by road.

But Faith, an elder sister to Ese, said nobody had said anything about her sister being expectant.

The police yesterday confirmed that Ese was undergoing tests before being released to go with her mother.

They said Yunusa was in custody and “will be brought to justice”.

Besides, there is an administrative inquiry to determine the role of some policemen in the abduction. Those found derelict in their duties are to be punished.

A police source confirmed that Inspector-General Solomon Arase directed that Yunusa should be repatriated to the Bayelsa State Police Command for further investigations and possible prosecution.

“Yunusa allegedly committed the offence in Yenagoa. So, he is expected to be moved to the state police command where further investigations will be carried out for possible prosecution,” the source who spoke in confidence said.

Police spokesman Olabisi Kolawole said: “I am delighted to confirm that the Police have today secured the release of Ese Oruru , the girl-child victim from the Kano State Sharia Commission. She is currently in safe custody of officers of the Gender Unit of the Force.

“The victim is being granted psychological and emotional support by officers of the Gender and Child Protection Unit of the Force which handles cases of this nature that touch on violence against children. In addition, a team from the Medical Department of the Force are also extending medical attention to the girl-child.

“Upon certifying her medical status and emotional state, Ese Oruru will be re-united with her parents who are around to work with police professionals in this regard.”

Explaining why Ese was not publicly handed over to her parents, Kolawole said the police were respecting an international convention.

She said: “As we share the joy of the safe release of Ese, let me appeal to ladies and gentlemen of the press of the crucial need to respect the privacy and other protective rights of the girl-child and her family at this moment.

“This is the minimum legal and international requirement in cases of this nature. As a civilised nation, this is a standard we should not compromise in the long-term interest of the girl-child victim and her traumatised family.”

Ese’s mother, Rose Oruru, who spoke in pidgin English, said: “Good afternoon. I no get anything to say again because already, dna don try; the press people and all Nigeria people wey work hard so that I can get my daughter back. Now I don get my daughter back, and na to go house.  I thank policemen and everybody. God bless everybody.”

Yunusa would soon be taken to court on three-count charge of abduction, incitement of public disturbance and act of gross indecency, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Sources at the Police Prosecution Unit, which is compiling charges against Yunusa, told our correspondent that  efforts were being made to ensure that a watertight case is brought against him, “even if a case of abduction is difficult in the particular matter”.

The source, who declined to disclose if Yunusa would be charged in Abuja or Bayelsa, said because of the religious dimension introduced to the case, Yunusa will also be defending himself against the charge of inciting public disturbance, in addition to committing an act of gross indecency, if it was discovered that he was having sexual relationship with a minor.

She explained that the Unit will also need the results of the various tests to determine whether it will be appropriate to file a case of act of gross indecency against Yunusa, 19.

“We are already rubbing minds on the charges that may be brought against the suspect, especially when the Inspector General of Police has given us the marching order. We are looking at three charges of abduction, incitement of public disturbance and act of gross indecency. I must confess to you that this is not as straightforward as you may think.

“We will be charging him with inciting public disturbance because of the religious aspect. For example, his action has led to public outcry along religious divides and it could have led to religious crisis. This is why we feel this particular charge can be proven convincingly at the court in addition to the act of gross misconduct if tests show that the girl is 14, which means that she is still a teenager and, therefore, not mature to take such decisions about having sex with an adult.”

Kolawole said: “I can confirm that the Force has also taken into custody Yunusa Dahiru (Alias Yellow), the abductor of Ese.

“I can assure you that the abductor and all other actors in this abduction saga will be brought to deserved justice. This is the only way this nation can make a clear statement in unison that any individual that violates the sanctity of the rights of our children shall be dealt with in accordance with extant laws of our country.

She went on: “Aside the prosecution of the actors directly involved in this case, the IGP has also ordered an in-house administrative enquiry designed to review the professional conduct of officers responsible for the initial investigation of this case and any officer indicted of professional dereliction will be firmly dealt with, accordingly

Culled from Nations………………………..