Kidnapping of Ese Oruru

Last updated

Kidnapping of Ese Oruru
LocationAbduction: Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Date12 August 2015 (2015-08-12)–29 February 2016 (2016-02-29)
Attack type
 Kidnapping, child trafficking, statutory rape
VictimEse Rita Oruru
PerpetratorsYunusa Dahiru (alias Yellow)

The kidnapping of Ese Rita Oruru, the youngest child of Charles Oruru and Rose Oruru, occurred on 12 August 2015 at her mother's shop in Yenagoa local government area, Bayelsa State. Ese, who was 13 years old at the time, was abducted by a man named Yunusa Dahiru (alias Yellow) and taken to Kano, where she was raped, forcibly Islamized and married off without her parents' consent. The conversion and marriage took place in the palace of the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. [1]

Contents

Ese's story first caught the attention of media outlets when her parents pleaded with the public for her release. Efforts to return the young teenager to her parents proved futile. However, on 29 February 2016, Ese was reported to have been rescued by Kano State Police and placed in custody of the Nigerian government. She was later revealed to be five months pregnant with her kidnapper's child after being released. [2] [3]

Various leaders, public figures and youth groups condemned Dahiru's actions. Human rights lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, called the incident a "clear case of child trafficking" and "a worse form of corruption." [4] Kano State government, through its Information, Youths and Sports Commissioner, Malam Garba, denied any involvement and demanded the culprit be prosecuted since the Constitution and Islamic teaching abhor abduction and forced marriage. [5]

Background

Oruru biography

Ese Rita Oruru was born on 22 February 2002 to parents Charles and Rose Oruru from Ughelli North, Delta State. She has three siblings, a sister Patricia and two brothers, Onome and Kevin. Her family lived in Opolo, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, where her mother Mrs. Oruru operated her food vending business.[ citation needed ]

While growing up, Oruru became an active member in the Christian community. Her brother described her as "one of the strongest Scripture Union members; I know her very well. Then, she also used to tell me to come and join the SU. She did evangelism during break time most times." [6]

Oruru was a JSS 3 student at Opolo Community Secondary School. A math lover, her career dream was to become a nurse. One of her school teachers, Mrs. Douye said she was brilliant and humble. She revealed that Oruru's abduction prevented her from participating in the Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination. [7]

Kidnapping and rescue

Yunusa Dahiru, a tricycle operator and member of the Hausa tribe kidnapped Ese Oruru on the night of 12 August 2015. Oruru, who was aged 13 at the time, was at her mother's shop while her parents had gone out. Dahiru thereafter transported Oruru to Kano State, and to the Emir's palace. He had claimed to traditional leaders in Kano that the teenager willingly followed him.[ citation needed ]

Oruru was forcibly converted to Islam, renamed "Aisha" and married off to Dahiru without her parents' permission. The whereabouts of the two were revealed the next day. On 14 August 2015, Mrs. Rose Oruru journeyed to Tufa village in Kura local government area. She was accosted by the village chief who informed her that her daughter was in the custody of the Emir. When she arrived there, she was approached by local Muslim youths who callously denied her entrance to the palace. She went back on 17 August, accompanied by an inspector and a police officer from Kwani Police Station. The police took her into the palace where the Emir of Kano sat in Council. There, she saw her daughter driven into the place in a black Sport utility vehicle (SUV) with two police escort and Dahiru.[ citation needed ]

From Kwani Police, the case was transferred to the Kano State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Mrs. Rose Oruru was told to return to Bayelsa State and report the situation to the Yenagoa CID. Subsequent attempts to secure the release of Oruru proved abortive until 29 February 2016, when it was reported that she had been rescued by police following a massive campaign by The Punch which sparked national outrage. On 2 March 2016, Oruru and her mother were reunited in Abuja. [8] Upon her arrival to the city, she was five months pregnant with Dahiru's child. [9]

Arraignment and pre-trial events

On 8 March 2016, Dahiru was arraigned in a Federal High Court in Yenagoa on a five-count indictment charging him with abduction, child trafficking, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge. After hearing the charges, Dahiru pleaded not guilty before the court while the case was adjourned to 14 March. The presiding judge, Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, ruled that Dahiru should be remanded in prison custody until the formal adjourned date. [10] [11] On 14 March, counsel for the prosecution, Kenneth Dika served the Federal Court with an application to have Oruru's testimony heard behind closed doors. Dika stated that this was because the victim was a minor and deserved the court's protection. He also opposed an application for bail made by the defense counsel Kayode Olaoshebikan, arguing that it took the Nigerian police over six months to apprehend Dahiru and that if granted bail, the defendant, who was not resident within the court's jurisdiction, would most likely abscond. The matter was then adjourned until 21 March, with Dahiru sent back to prison custody. [12]

Bail hearing

In the week following the adjournment, the court began hearing on the defendant's bail plea. Justice H.A. Nganjiwa said Dahiru should be granted a ₦3 million bail with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court while one must be a civil servant of not less than level 12 and the other a renowned title holder. Both must provide 3 years tax clearance certificate, while the public servant must also submit a letter of first appointment and last promotion letter. The court ordered further remand of Dahiru in prison custody pending when he would fulfil the bail conditions given. [13]

Reacting to the decision, activist Annkio Briggs expressed her dissatisfaction at the performance of the prosecution. She called on the police to "live up to expectation" and bring in more lawyers to strengthen the legal team to prosecute the case. [14]

Conclusion of trial and judgment

At last, on 21 May 2020, the Federal Hugh Court before which the defendant Dahiru was charged finally handed down judgment in the case. Dahiru was found guilty of the charge and sentenced to twenty-six years imprisonment. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kano (city)</span> Capital city of Kano State, Nigeria

Kano is a city in northern Nigeria and the capital of Kano State. It is the second largest city in Nigeria after Lagos, with over ten million citizens living within 449 km2 (173 sq mi). Located in the savanna, south of the Sahel, Kano is a major route of the trans-Saharan trade, having been a trade and human settlement for millennia. It is the traditional state of the Dabo dynasty who have ruled as emirs over the city-state since the 19th century. Kano Emirate Council is the current traditional institution inside the city boundaries of Kano, and under the authority of the Government of Kano State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayelsa State</span> State of Nigeria

Bayelsa state is a state in the South South region of Nigeria, located in the core of the Niger Delta. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. The capital, Yenagoa, is susceptible to high risk of annual flooding. It shares a boundary with Rivers State to the east and Delta State to the north across the Niger River for 17 km and the Forçados River for 198 km, with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean dominating its southern borders. It has a total area of 10,773 square kilometres (4,159 sq mi). The state comprises eight local government areas: Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Brass and Southern Ijaw. The state is the smallest in Nigeria by population as of the 2006 census. Being in the Niger Delta, Bayelsa State has a riverine and estuarine setting, with bodies of water within the state preventing the development of significant road infrastructure.

Yenagoa is a Local Government Area and capital city of Bayelsa State, Southern Nigeria. It is located at the Niger-Delta region of the country at coordinates 4°55′29″N6°15′51″E.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odi massacre</span> The massacre of the Odi people in Ijaw, Nigeria

The Odi massacre was an attack carried out on November 20, 1999, by the Nigerian Armed Forces against the predominantly Ijaw town of Odi in Bayelsa State. The attack came in the context of an ongoing conflict in the Niger Delta over indigenous rights to oil resources and environmental protection. It is estimated that over 900 civilians were killed in the attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diepreye Alamieyeseigha</span> Nigerian politician (1952–2015)

Diepreye Solomon Peter "D.S.P." Alamieyeseigha was a Nigerian politician who was Governor of Bayelsa State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 9 December 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samson Siasia Sports Stadium</span> Multi-use stadium in Yenagoa, Nigeria

Samson Siasia Sports Stadium is a multi-use stadium located in the Yenagoa metropolis, Nigeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and it is the home stadium of both Ocean Boys FC and the Bayelsa United. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 people. Before 2009, it was known as the Yenagoa Township Stadium. It was rededicated in 2009 and was named after Samson Siasia. Samson Siasia is a former Nigerian soccer player who has coached a number of teams and recorded a number of successes. The Samson Siasia stadium is the first environmentally friendly astro turf pitch in Africa. The astro turf pitch was built by Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction and Development Ltd.

Bayelsa United FC is a football club based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, Nigeria. They play in the Premier division of Nigerian football, the Nigeria Professional Football League. Their home games are played at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Ovom, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heineken Lokpobiri</span> Nigerian politician (born 1967)

Heineken Lokpobiri is a Nigerian politician who is the minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil). He previously served as minister of state for Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2019, and as Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District from 2007 to 2015. He is a former speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

Emmanuel Paulker is a Nigerian politician who was elected Senator for the Bayelsa Central constituency of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, taking office on 29 May 2007. He is a member of the UKIP.

Henry Seriake Dickson CON is a Nigerian lawyer and politician. He has been the Senator representing Bayelsa West since 2020 in the 9th National Assembly. He was the governor of Bayelsa State from 14 February 2012 to 14 February 2020. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 until 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nestor Binabo</span> Nigerian politician

Nestor K. Binabo was a Nigerian politician and teacher who briefly served as the acting Governor of Bayelsa State, from January to February 2012. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he also served as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. After leaving office, he was a member of the All Progressives Congress until his death in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdullahi Umar Ganduje</span> Nigerian politician (born 1949)

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Kano State from 2015 to 2023. He previously served as Rabiu Kwankwaso's deputy governor twice, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2011 to 2015. He is a member and national chairman of the ruling Party All Progressives Congress (APC).

The following lists events that happened during 2012 in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nnamdi Kanu</span> British political activist

Nnamdi Okwu Kanu is a British political activist known for advocating for the secession and independence of Biafra from Nigeria. He is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which he founded in 2012. The main aim of IPOB is to restore the defunct Republic of Biafra which existed in Nigeria's Eastern Region during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty Abah</span> Nigerian writer and activist

Betty Abah is a Nigerian journalist, author and a women and children's rights activist. She is the Founder and Executive director of CEE HOPE, a girl-child rights and development non-profit organization based in Lagos State

Centre for Children's Health Education, Orientation and Protection also known as CEE-HOPE is a non-governmental organization that focus on the right and welfare of vulnerable children. It was established by Betty Abah, a Nigerian journalist, author and women and children's right activist. One of CEE-HOPE's major center of operation is Makoko, an urban slum in Nigeria.

Amina Adamu Aliyu is a Nigerian judge from Kano State She was born in Kano Municipal Local Government Area of Kano State. She pursued her Bachelor of Laws at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, graduating in 1986, and subsequently completed her legal training at the Nigerian Law School, being called to the bar in May 1989. Aliyu started her career as a state counsel in the Kano State Ministry of Justice in 1989, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Director Civil Litigation by 2009 when she became a High Court Judge. Notable cases include chairing the election petition tribunals in Kwara State in 2020 and Kebbi State in the 2019 Nigerian general election. Aliyu also presided over cases involving issues such as irregularities in the selection process of the Kano Emirate Throne and heinous crimes, delivering judgments that led to convictions and sentences.

Mohammed Idris Alkali (1960–2018), also known as Nuri, was a Nigerian retired Major general who was declared missing on 3 September 2018 and found dead on 31 October 2018. During his military career, he served as the Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Hanifa Abubakar was a Nigerian girl who was kidnapped and murdered by Abdumalik Tanko, the proprietor of her school Noble Kids Academy in Nassarawa, Kano State, Nigeria. The case received national attention due to the young age of the victim and the manner of her death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa</span> Nigerian Islamic scholar

Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa also known with his honorific as Sheikh Daurawa, is a Nigerian Islamic Scholar from Kano state. His father is a famous Researcher called Sheikh Ibrahim Muhammad Mai Tafsiri, Sheikh Daurawa appointed by Kano State governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in 2023 as commander of Hisbah Kano.

References

  1. ↑ "Ese Oruru's abduction: Police would've killed the matter, says Ese's father". Vanguard . 1 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Five years after, Ese Oruru's abductor to spend 26 years in jail". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  3. ↑ Danielle Ogbeche (2 March 2016). "Medical results reveal Ese Oruru is 5 months pregnant". Daily Post . Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "These parties are behind Ese Oruru's prolonged captivity". Ventures Africa. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Ese Oruru: Kano Govt Dissociates Self From Girl's Abduction". Leadership . 1 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "I'm 16, Ese can't be 17 –Elder brother". The Punch . 1 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Abduction prevented Ese Oruru from writing Junior WAEC examination – Teacher". Vanguard . 2 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "BREAKING: Ese reunites with mother". The Sun . 2 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "Abduction: 14-yr-old Ese is 5 months pregnant". Vanguard . 2 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  10. ↑ "UPDATED: #JusticeForEse: Yunusa arraigned in Bayelsa court". The Punch . 8 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  11. ↑ Oyadongha, Samuel (9 March 2016). "Nigeria: Ese Oruru - Yunusa Charged With Criminal Abduction". All Africa. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  12. ↑ "Ese Oruru: Prosecution wants victim's evidence taking behind closed doors". Vanguard. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ese Oruru's abduction: Court grants Yunusa Dahiru bail". TVC News. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Rights Activist, Annkio Briggs, alleges poor prosecution of Ese Oruru's case by Police". Premium Times. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Ese Oruru gets justice at last!". Vanguard News. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.