Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed shock at the news of the abduction of 14-year-old Ese Oruru and condemned the action as an-unheard-of incident in the state; given the age of the girl and the lack of consent by her parents. 
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Senator Okowa, said that he was saddened by the news of the girl’s abduction. “Not until yesterday, I did not hear of this saga; not even the fact that the girl is an indigene of Delta State. I am very much interested in this case and I want the police to take it to its logical conclusion, nothing short of diligent prosecution of the abductors would be satisfactory”, he stated.
The governor who expressed disappointment on the length of time it took to unravel the incident, urged members of the public to always speak up whenever they are victims of undesirable social vices and pledged that the state is taking steps to reach out to the parents for necessary post-traumatic intervention.
Governor Okowa commended the civil society, the media and all Nigerians who spoke out and galvanized support for the rescue of Ese Oruru. “I am delighted that as disturbing as the incident was, the process of reuniting the girl with her family has begun and commend the doggedness of Ese’s parents for holding forth since August, 2015, when their daughter was snatched from them”, he noted.
The governor also commended the security agents for stepping in to rescue the young ‘Ese’ and warned all such persons who would want to take advantage of young girls to stay clear of Delta as his administration will not take kindly to such unwarranted abuse of the rights of the girl-child.
Meanwhile the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to prosecute the abductor of the 14-year-old Ese Oruru from Bayelsa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ese was abducted in 2015 by one Yunusa, aged 18, who took her to Kano for marriage.
The IYC in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare yesterday applauded the media for advocating for the release of Ese.
“The IYC, therefore, insist that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, must bring those who masterminded the kidnap of Miss Ese Oruru to justice in line with the Anti-kidnapping law of Bayelsa State.
“This should include collaborators in the palace of the Emir of Kano.
“This is the only way we can put a stop to such criminal conduct, especially considering the worrying activities of herdsmen in different parts of the country.
“We commend the role of the Nigerian media in rescuing Ese Oruru from the hands of her abductors.
“The role the media played has once again demonstrated to the world the crucial role of the media in our nation’s development.
“The IYC notes the historical role of the Nigerian media in the fight against military dictatorship and we call on the media to continue to play its role as the fourth estate of the realm and the conscience of the Nigerian society,’’ Omare stated.
The IYC, however, decried the response of the police to the kidnap of Ese.
