The late arrival of Ese Oruru’s parents stalled the formal handover which would have reunited their family, according to a SaharaReporters correspondent present at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja today. Ms. Oruru, believed to be fourteen years old, was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam, according to media reports.
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Local and foreign media began congregating at the police headquarters at 10am in anticipation of Ms. Oruru’s arrival. However, they were soon shocked when the Police Public Relation Officer (PRO) Bisi Kolawole announced that the media ceremony could not be held because Ms. Oruru’s parents were still travelling to Abuja from their home in Bayelsa State.
Mrs. Kolawole then requested the media to return on Wednesday at 10am when the event has been rescheduled.
Previously the Nigerian police issued a statement that Ms. Oruru was rescued on the orders of the Inspector-General of the Police Solomon Arase by a team of officers led by the Kano State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Katsina.
The Bayelsa-born teenager and her abductor, Yunusa Yellow, were flown to Abuja from Kano State by the Office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Zone 1 amid tight security. Ms. Oruru was also given a medical check Monday night, according to reports.
The disappearance of Mrs. Oruru from her home in Bayelsa State, and her alleged forced marriage to Mr. Yunusa, sparked outrage nationwide.
The outrage eventually reached the Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi, who ordered that Ms. Oruru be repatriated home.
Mr. Yunusa is a keke driver who used to live near the girl in Bayelsa State, according to reports.
Human rights organizations began weighing into the situation calling on appropriate authorities to release the minor to her parents. The Federation of Women Lawyers in Bayelsa State also called for Ms. Oruru’s release.