13-year-old girl kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam

– A 13-year-old girl has allegedly been kidnapped from Bayelsa state

– 13-year-old Ese, has allegedly been forced into marriage by her abductor

– Ese’s parents are still trying to get the girl back from her abductors

According to the Sun Newspapers, 13-year-old Ese Rita Oruru, has been kidnapped and forced into marriage by one man identified as Yinusa.

Yinusa allegedly kidnapped Ese, from Opolo, in Yenegoa, and took her to his residence in Kano state, and has since refused to let her go back to her parents, even after efforts have been made in that regard.

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Ese’s parents have made several unsuccessful visits to Yinusa’s kinsmen in Kano, with the kinsmen insisting that Ese, who they referred to as ‘Aisha’, belonged to them and they were willing to pay the necessary bride price required of them.

In a press conference addressed by Mr. Kizito Andah of the Child Protection Network (CPN), he said some civil society and youth groups in Bayelsa, were ready to protest to drive home the message, that Ese needed to be freed from her kidnappers. Mr Andah, reportedly warned against causing an ethno-religious crisis, which might spring up with the forceful abduction and conversion of Ese, into Islam.

In a statement, the CPN said: “We strongly believe that the said Miss Ese Rita Oruru has not only been hypnotized but also recruited as a tool in the hand of an Islamic fanatical group in Kano State. She is only 13-years-old and cannot give informed consent to marriage and is still held hostage. Mr and Mrs Charles Oruru are petty traders who are putting all efforts to meet the needs of their children. Securing her return would not only make history in our strong desire to continually protect our children, but also reemphasize and stamp our indelible position against the acts of these culprits. We, therefore, call for all to join our voices to prevail on the Kano State Government, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to urgently release Miss Ese Rita Oruru, and demand for the prosecution of her abductors under the appropriate law and jurisdiction as it is of urgent national security and public interest.”

The Police and the Department of State Security (DSS), were reportedly involved in the matter, and their promise to help bring Ese home, has remained unfruitful, prompting Ese’s parents decisions to meet with the youth and civil society groups.

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