The Nigerian Twitter sphere, which was outraged early Monday, as the news about the reported kidnap and marriage of a 14-year-old Ese Oruru to one Yinusa, who was said to have taken her from Yenogoa, Bayelsa State to Kano State, was also aggrieved that such could happen in a country, where child-marriage is outlawed.
Using the #FreeEse, #FreeEseNow and several variants, Nigerians on Twitter demanded for the freedom of the teenager.
Remi Sonaiya, who contested for the Presidency seat last year under KOWA, took to Twitter to condemn the act of child-marriage, saying “all who love truth and justice must be appalled. How can strangers have more power over a minor than her parents? Don’t we have laws?”
Senator Jummai Alhassan, known as Mama Taraba, also took to twitter to vent on what many users called “atrocity,” saying “Child Rights Act says no person under 18 is capable of contracting a valid marriage and a marriage so contracted, is null and void. Ese is still a child under our laws and her right to freedom of movement is subject to parental control. She must be returned.
“Our laws are very clear on the case; Ese Oruru is 14 and as such, cannot consent to marriage. Any such union she’s in is illegal. No culture, religion or personal conviction supersedes the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ese Oruru must return home.”
Saying that she had been in contact with the police in Kano over Ese’s “immediate release to her parents,” she added that “I can assure you that I will use all my powers and influence as a Minister and woman to secure the release and return of Ese Oruru.”
Obiagelli Ezekwesili, who was on the forefront of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign did not disappoint Monday morning, as she led the voice that demanded for Oruru’s release.
She tweeted that she was in talks with the Emir of Kano, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, of which the Emir had promised he was looking into it.
Ezekwesili said she found that the Emir had previously “over ruled the Sharia Comm and asked that Ese be returned,” but according to the tone of her message, this was not done.
According to her, she spoke with the Emir on Sunday, who promised that ‘“..tomorrow the decision will be to remind the police of this mandate and again request immediate implementation.....and an explanation (from Kano Police) for why it (Ese’s return to Bayelsa) was not done.....”Emir Sanusi said to me,’” her timeline read.
Three hours into Oruru’s release, Ezekwesili tweeted “#QuickUpdateOnEse: The Emir is holding court and promised update on Ese’s return to Bayelsa. He says “this shall be resolved”. #InWaitingMode.”
Meanwhile, Twitter has been jubilant over Oruru’s release, claiming it is a victory for the teenager’s family and Nigerian girls at large.
Although relieved that Oruru was released, many are calling for the prosecution of her alleged kidnapper(s).
Kambili M.A. Chimalu tweeted through her handle @depsyfiesty, that: “It is not enough to “rescue” Ese. Her abductors should be prosecuted and the IGP fired. Now, we must work to protect girls in Nigeria.”
Culled from Tribune
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