ESE: PSC TO FLUSH OUT OFFICERs FOUND CULPABLE IN ABDUCTION SAGA.

ESE: PSC TO FLUSH OUT OFFICERs FOUND CULPABLE IN ABDUCTION SAGA.
Following the directive by the Inspector General of Police that the roles of Police detectives and other senior officers involved in the abduction drama of 14 year Ese Oruru, the Police Service Commission, the body tasked with responsibility of purnishing officers for offences, has said it will sanction officers found wanting for dereliction of duty in the matter.

“The Police Service Commission will not hesitate to sanction any Police Officer no matter how highly placed who is found culpable in the abduction saga of 14 year old Ese Oruru who was said to have been abducted and forced into marriage in Kano” a statement by the commission said.

Continuing the statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Public Relations said, “The Commission is waiting on the on-going investigation of some Police Officers on the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, and will ensure that any Police Officer who is found to have compromised himself either by omission or commission in the saga will be flushed out”.

Commending the IGP for his swift action in rescuing the teenager and ensuring that she was immediately reunited with her family, the Police Service Commission added that “it will work with the IGP to see that Nigerians including the likes of Ese are guaranteed their freedom to life”.

“The Police Service Commission is constitutionally mandated to exercise disciplinary action against members of the Police among other responsibilities and has the right to dismiss any Officer found culpable in the on-going abduction saga.”

Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday called for a comprehensive investigation into the abduction and subsequent prosecution of the culprits of 14 year old Ese Oruru, who was abducted and forced into Islamic marriage in Kano since August last year.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, Dickson said the state government has directed the Ministry of Justice to collaborate effectively with the Nigeria Police, towards ensuring that Ese’s abduction was prosecuted to a logical conclusion.
He expressed optimism that the investigation would be extended far and wide with a view to bring the perpetrators to book.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa, shortly after receiving Ese and her parents in Government House, Dickson, who described Ese as a minor, wondered why it took so long to secure her release.
He said there were questions begging for answers, “as those who knew something about her abduction failed to say or do something to ensure Ese’s return to her parents.”
His words, “This matter has to do with enforcement of the laws of this state. This matter is not religious; It is not a matter that has to be swept under the carpet, because of one tradition or the other. We as a government is seeing this matter as one of law enforcement; the rights of a young girl, innocent childhood, her right to proper development and her right to grow up in the company of her parents and also practice for now the faith of her parents. A lot has happened.
“I want to use this opportunity to assure all that, the Nigeria Police Force is working hard and I have directed the Ministry of Justice to collaborate effectively with them to ensure that this matter is prosecuted to a logical conclusion.
“I also trust and believe that, the Police investigations would also extend far and wide, because there are questions begging for answers and we as a government, we want to know why adults, fathers and grandfathers, who saw a minor taken away from here down and into circumstances she found herself in in faraway Kano did not make it a priority of returning that child; that minor to the lawful and proper custody of her parents.
“We want to know why it took this long; we like to know those who knew what was going on, but did not say something we like to know those, who could have saved this situation much earlier, but did not. Like I said, we are looking at this issue not from the prism of culture, tradition or religion. From now on, this matter has to be looked at purely and simply as a case of law enforcement and as a case of state responsibility and protection and safety of our children; in this case, a minor. I have had preliminary briefings by the Police Commissioner and his team.”
The Governor warned that, the issue of Ese’s abduction should not be treated from the viewpoint of culture, tradition or religion, but rather as a case of an infringement on Ese’s fundamental human rights and law enforcement.
Noting that he has received preliminary briefings from the Police Commissioner, the Governor directed that a team of medical personnel and counselor’s be set up to liaise with Ese and her parents, in order to offer support and expressed the government’s preparedness to take appropriate steps to reintegrate her to the society.
“We have directed that a team be set up, made up of medical practitioners, counselors, who would liaise and work with Ese and her parents to offer support we are prepared to support and stand by Ese, not just now, but most importantly in the days, months and years ahead.
“I like to thank all Nigerians for their legitimate concern in this matter. I appreciate the efforts of the parents and the Oruru family. I thank my counterpart, the Kano State Governor, since this matter became public knowledge. I like to thank the media.”
On his part, Mr. Charles Oruru, father of Ese at his Opolo residence, speaking on the return of his daughter said: “I am very happy the storm is over. I thanked God for her safe return and all Nigerians who made it possible for her return. I thanked the commissioner of police, the NGOs, the media and other civil society groups.
“It had been a traumatic experience for us. I was like a fish out of water. I was not sleeping well. It was a real war for our family.”

On the health condition of his daughter he said, “Whatever you read in the newspaper is true.”

END