Dickson Meets Ese’s Family Behind Closed-door, As Police Transfer Yunusa To Bayelsa Command

The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on Thursday met with the family of Ese Oruru, behind closed doors at the Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor, who spoke after the meeting, said he had set up a medical team comprising psychologists to facilitate the girl’s recovery.

Dickson hailed the media and civil society groups for their efforts in securing the freedom of Ese, adding that his government would support the family at this critical time.

He said: “I told the family that it could have been worse because their daughter may have disappeared forever.

“This matter has to do with enforcement of the laws of the state. Everything has to be done to protect the girl child, like Ese’s case has shown.”

“This is not a religious matter, but the right of a young girl to grow up with her parents.

“I want to use the opportunity to assure all that the police and the directorate of public prosecution are working to ensure that this matter is pursued to its logical conclusions.

“There are questions begging for answers. How come adults who see a minor in far away Kano did not deem it right to return such minor to the lawful custody of her parents?

“We want to know who could have saved this situation but did not.

“We have set up a team that includes medical psychologists and others. We are ready to support and stand by Ese, not just now but in the days, months and years ahead.”

Meanwhile, The Kano State-born Yunusa, who abducted the 14-year-old Ese Oruru from Bayelsa State, converted her to Islam and married her has been transferred to the Bayelsa State police command in Yenagoa.

Yunusa was initially arrested in Kano and taken to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, following public outrage generated by Ese’s travails.

The police had earlier said they would transfer the culprit to the Bayelsa command where he allegedly committed the offence.

A source at the Bayelsa police command told our correspondent that Yunusa was already in the state’s police custody.

He said Yunusa was handed over to the command on Wednesday, the same day Ese was brought back to the state.

“Yunusa is presently here in the Bayelsa police command. He was brought by a team of policemen from the Force Headquarters on Wednesday. He is being detained at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID),” he said.

The source said the police had been mandated to carry out thorough investigations and compile evidence that would lead to Yunusa’s prosecution.