Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) on Sunday applauded the commitment of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) in advocating for the freedom of Ese Oruru.

Oruru, a minor, was allegedly abducted by Mr Yunusa Dahiru in August 2015 from Bayelsa and taken to Kano, where she was forced into a marriage.

Following public outcry, police freed Oruru from Lano in March 2016 while Dahiru was on March 8 , 2016 charged with abduction, kidnapping, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual exploitation by the police.

Parents of the 14-year-old Oruru and executives of Bayelsa chapter of UPU applauded the support of IYC in securing the release of Oruru during a thank-you visit to President of IYC on Sunday in Yenagoa.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Kingsley Akpaka, Bayelsa chapter Chairman of UPU, noted that the IYC worked tirelessly in engaging the Hausa community in Bayelsa, resulting to tracing where Oruru was kept in Kano.

He said: “We are here to say thank you and appreciate the efforts by leadership of Ijaw Youths in our long struggle to free our daughter since August 2015, we are happy and we further appeal for your support as the case is in progress.

“We need the support of all the stakeholders in the Niger Delta because we have noticed that the Kano State government, Sharia Council and Kano Emirate are interested in the case and send legal representatives each hearing day.

“In view of these, the Urobo Progressive Union will ensure that the rights of Oruru are well represented and we have enlisted the services of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to strengthen the prosecution team.”

Responding, President of IYC, Mr Udengs Eradiri, noted that Ijaws and Urobos had a history of affinity and shared cultural and language ties adding that injury to any group in Niger Delta was injury to the region.

Eradiri alleged that that Oruru’s case was one out of the numerous incidents that have been going on and called on parents to be more vigilant and security conscious around their children.

“There is a syndicate involved in trafficking of teenage girls for underage marriage and we insist that a DNA test should be conducted on Oruru’s baby to know who the real father is. We are worried that Yunusa, who is still owing Oruru’s mother, could afford to hire up to 10 lawyers including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to defend him, we should also defend our people and ensure they get justice,” Eradiri said.

The IYC President urged UPU to draw the attention of the international community and advocate for their support to check the abuse of rights of the girl child and under age forced marriages in Nigeria.

•Photo shows IYC President, Udengs Eradiri.

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