29th February, 2016
The campaign to free a 14-year old girl, Ese Oruru, who was kidnapped from Bayelsa state to Kano state and forcefully married by a man simply known as Yinusa has gained national attention especially on social media.
Punch Nigeria had reported that the schoolgirl was on 12 August 2015 carted away by Yinusa in Bayelsa state leaving a message for her mother that he was going to convert her to Islam and marry her.
This he rightly did without the consent of her parents, Charles and Rose Oruru.
Pained by the revelations, Rose Oruru, mother of Ese made frantic efforts to recover her daughter but has been prevented from doing so by the powers that be.
Narrating her ordeal, Rose said the chief of a village in Tufa, Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, told her that Ese had been converted into Islam and renamed ‘Aisha’, adding that, she was married and that the child was no longer her daughter.
“He also informed us that Ese was in the custody of the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the palace,” she stated.
On social media, Nigerians joined the Oruru family in calling for her release.
You kidnap a child and want to pay bride price after the parents traced you. The Police should be ashame for not acting swiftly. #FreeEse
— Ediong (@Ediong) February 28, 2016
What is the police hierarchy doing about this nonsense? Must we raise a hashtag & march before people do their jobs? #FreeEse #FreeEse
— The Godfather (@Ayourb) February 28, 2016
What is wrong is wrong & can't be justified. U can't forcefully take a child, convert & marry her. Criminality at d highest order. #FreeEse
— Gloria Adagbon (@gloria_adagbon) February 28, 2016
When you catch a thief, he is first a thief before he is a Muslim or a Christian. #FreeEse
— Abubakar Sidiq Usman (@MrAbuSidiq) February 28, 2016
I can't process how you will stand before me to say a 13 year old gave you consent. #FreeEse #FreeEseOruru
— Rosanwo (@rosanwo) February 28, 2016
Whoever this Yunusa is should #FreeEse and let her return home to her family. I don't care if she ran away or whatever his reasons are.
— Peacock (@dawisu) February 28, 2016
#FreeEse betrays a major miscarriage of justice. People abducted a young girl, and denied her freedom, hiding behind religion.
— Editi Effiòng (@EditiEffiong) February 28, 2016
After reading this Ese story, it's obvious we have bigger problems in this country.
I lend my support and voice. Please #FreeEse
— Oke Umurhohwo (@stalyf) February 28, 2016
I thought the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes any other customary law. #FreeEse
— Prosper (@PrizzyO_O) February 29, 2016
Such a lawless country! AIG is yarning balls, a whole IG too can't do anything until the Emir intervenes. What nonesense! #FreeEse
— Prosper (@PrizzyO_O) February 29, 2016
What color is rage? What kind of society/religion condones the kidnap/rape of a child? There should be ONE law for all Nigerians. #FreeEse
— Kambili M.A. Chimalu (@depsyfiesty) February 29, 2016
@benmurraybruce don't come to twitter and tweet, it's time to work #FreeEse
— olanrewaju_s.d (@dareysammi) February 29, 2016
The #FreeEse campaign, as commendable and as justified as it is shouldnt degenerate into Islamophobic and hate inducing tweets.
— Lt General Bukar (@Prince_Bukar) February 29, 2016