#freeese: Tension As Group Threatens To Evict Northerners In N’delta, Issues 2-weeks Ultimatum For Victim’s Release
BEVERLY HILLS, February 29, (THEWILL) – Tension is currently brewing in the Niger Delta region as a group, Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group (UMDG), on Monday threatened to evict all Northerners residing in the region if, within two weeks, the Kano State Government, the Emir of Kano and the Federal Government fails to secure the release of abducted 14-year-old Ese Oruru.
Ese Oruru, a 14-year old girl was allegedly kidnapped from her mother's shop located in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State by one Yinusa, aka Yellow, since August 12, 2015. She is said to have been married by her abductor who converted her to Islam.
Reacting in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Kingsley Oberuruaria and made available to THEWILL in Warri, Delta state, UMDG noted that the teenage girl, Ese, who hails from Uwherun Town in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta state was forcefully abducted and whisked to Kano State without the prior knowledge of her parents.
The group said that all entreaties to peacefully secure her release from her abductors and culprits have met brisk walls and expressed concern over the manner the minor was fiercely converted into Islam and renamed Aisha and further betrothed to Yinusa, the suspect alleged to have kidnapped her as her husband.
The group stated that the victim was 13 when she was bounded out of Bayelsa State last year.
They however allegedly accused the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as well as the Kano state Police Command of complicity in the matter.
“We are also not unaware of the allegations that Yinusa kinsmen including the respected Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi are complicit in the abduction and forceful conversion of our daughter to Islam as the parents alleged that their daughter is within the Emir palace.
“The Kano Command of the Nigeria Police are also conniving with the culprits to detain the girl against her basic fundamental human rights as contained in the Nigerian constitution, the statement said.
Stressing that the Urhobo people of Niger Delta are known to be peace loving people and believe in the Nigerian project, UMDG stated that the abduction and subsequent marrying of the teenager to the suspect is reminiscent of the over 200 Chibok girls whose whereabouts remained mystery even till date.
While describing the abduction of the teenager as criminal and barbaric, the group urged all Nigerians to condemn it in its entirety, even as it lamented the recent kidnapped and eventual killing of traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku in Delta State allegedly by a group of Fulani herdsmen.
They said the trends suggest that the Nigerian state is gradually returning to the medieval era which they said must not be allow to continue.
While threatening to avenge any further attack on their people in the region, the statement said; “We are giving the Kano State government, the Emir of Kano and the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to produce Ese Oruru and set her free unconditionally or we will evict their people (northerners) from our land (Niger Delta).
“At the expiration of this ultimatum if our demand is not meant, we will have no option than to forcefully evict all northerners in our domain.
“We will not allow northerners to torment our people in our own land. Never! It will never happen! From now on, we will match them machete to machete, gun to gun and peace for peace. This heinous intimidation our people will no longer fly”.
Meanwhile, the group has called on the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, government of Bayelsa and Delta State and all meaning Nigerians to urgently wade into the matter to avert imminent bloodbath between Niger Delta youths and northerners in the region.
They also called on security agencies especially the Nigeria Police to ensure that Ese Oruru is freed and reunited with her sobbing family.
Story by Joe Ogbodu