News
From Abduction to Triumph: Ese Oruru, Kidnapped, Forced into Islam and Impregnated at 13, Graduates from UNILORIN
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/tryt.jpg&description=From Abduction to Triumph: Ese Oruru, Kidnapped, Forced into Islam and Impregnated at 13, Graduates from UNILORIN', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/tryt.jpg&description=From Abduction to Triumph: Ese Oruru, Kidnapped, Forced into Islam and Impregnated at 13, Graduates from UNILORIN', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Ese Rita Oruru, the Bayelsa girl whose 2015 abduction and forced marriage in Kano State shocked the nation, has achieved an inspiring milestone — she has graduated from the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) with a Second Class Upper Division in Education Technology.
Her story, which once symbolized the deep social and legal failures in protecting the girl child in Nigeria, has now become one of resilience and triumph against all odds.
Ese was only 13 when she was kidnapped from her mother’s shop in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by Yunusa Dahiru, popularly known as Yellow. She was taken to Kano State, where she was forcibly converted to Islam and married off in a ceremony allegedly sanctioned by some local leaders.
The case triggered nationwide outrage, leading to coordinated intervention by the Nigeria Police Force, Child Rights advocates, and several women’s groups. Ese was rescued in February 2016 and reunited with her family, already pregnant with a child conceived during her captivity.
From Tragedy to Triumph
Ese’s journey back to education was long and painful. After her rescue, she received medical, emotional, and educational support from humanitarian organizations and activists. Among those who championed her cause was Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and co-founder of Bring Back Our Girls.
Dr. Ezekwesili, in a heartfelt post on social media, celebrated Ese’s achievement, writing:
“I am super-joyful to honor and celebrate the academic achievement of Ese Oruru! Ese graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Education Technology today at the University of Ilorin and now stands as a testament to what a determined mind can accomplish. Above all, I thank God for Ese. The future holds greater promise for this young woman whose life has evolved into an extraordinary inspiration and role model for us all.”
Her graduation, ten years after the ordeal that captivated national and international attention, has been hailed as a powerful reminder that victims of gender-based violence can still rebuild their lives through support, faith, and education.
A Case That Shook Nigeria
The kidnapping of Ese Oruru in August 2015 sparked massive public outrage. She was abducted from Bayelsa State and transported to Kano — over 700 kilometres away — where she was reportedly married off against her will.
Public pressure mounted on the police and state governments until the then-Inspector-General of Police ordered her immediate rescue. In 2020, her abductor, Yunusa Dahiru, was convicted and sentenced to 26 years in prison by the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The court found him guilty of child abduction, unlawful carnal knowledge, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
National Reactions
The news of Ese’s graduation has sparked widespread celebration among Nigerians on social media. Many described her success as “redemption through perseverance” and “a symbol of hope for every survivor of violence.”
Women’s rights activists have called on governments at all levels to strengthen child protection mechanisms and ensure no girl in Nigeria experiences what Ese suffered.
Ese’s Story — A Symbol of Hope
Ese Oruru’s life has come full circle — from a 13-year-old abductee to a young woman reclaiming her voice and future through education.
Her resilience highlights:
The importance of education in rebuilding the lives of victims of trauma.
The power of advocacy, which kept her case in public consciousness.
The necessity of justice, as her abductor’s conviction reaffirmed the rule of law.
Today, Ese stands not as a victim, but as a survivor — a living symbol of what courage, community support, and persistence can achieve.
What Her Story Means for Nigeria
Ese’s case remains a stark reminder that Nigeria must:
Enforce child protection laws without bias or delay.
Strengthen coordination between law enforcement, community leaders, and social workers.
Prioritize education and rehabilitation for victims of gender-based violence.
Her achievement also reflects the growing role of civil society in supporting survivors of abuse and ensuring that justice and recovery go hand in hand.)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has slashed its fuel pump price for the second time within four days.
A market survey on Saturday by DAILY POST showed that NNPCL retail outlets around Airport Junction and Wuse Zone 6 (Berger) in Abuja have reduced their petrol price to N1210 per litre, down from N1260.
This means that the state-owned oil firm slashed the petrol price by N50 per litre.
This comes barely two days after Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol gantry price by N50 to N1,125 per litre.
Recall that four days ago, NNPCL had adjusted its fuel price pump by N75 per litre to N1260.
With the latest drop by NNPCL retail outlets, petrol prices stand between N1210 per litre and N1305 per litre in Abuja and its environs.
The reduction in domestic fuel comes amid falling crude oil prices, which stand at $69 per barrel and $71 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively, following the easing of the conflict in the Middle East.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu has kept mum amid the clamour by Nigerians for a commensurate drop in domestic fuel pump prices due to the significant reduction in crude oil prices.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order directing it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.
INEC revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
According to the commission, although it is aware of media reports on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on June 26, it cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the certified copy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court’s order,” the statement said.
INEC stated that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action.
“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.
“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” Oketola added.
Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.
The court held that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were affected by the earlier judgment because it was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order.
Justice Dashen consequently ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.
The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment.
The ruling has also attracted reactions from opposition figures, including the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other stakeholders, who described the decision as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and vowed to challenge it through all available legal channels.
INEC, however, maintained that it would reserve its position on the judgment until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy.
A joint police operation rescued five victims abducted near Ogbere Forest in Ogun state on Wednesday.
They were rescued within 25 hours by the Lagos and Ogun Police Commands, which were part of a joint operation codenamed KOSAYE, meaning “No Space” in Yoruba.
The woman was among the victims who were shot in the incident. Her daughter and sister were among those rescued by the police on Thursday.
NNPC slashes petrol price twice within four days
Lokoja Court order: INEC speaks on NDC, says it’s yet to receive CTC
Just in: Police rescue five abductees in Ogun
-
News21 hours agoYou Clearly Didn’t Read the State Police Bill — Akpabio’s Aide Fires Back at Obi
-
News21 hours agoPeter Obi Reacts To court Ruling Nullifying NDC’s Registration
-
News21 hours agoMy Dad’s Wife Needs Money To Maintain Her Lavish Lifestyle- Mr. Ibu’s Son
-
Metro20 hours agoTwo killed in fresh Imo bomb explosion
-
News20 hours agoEdo CJ constitutes special court to try cultists, kidnappers
-
News21 hours agoXenophobia: “South Africa is nothing without Africa — MTN Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas
-
News21 hours agoArmy to recruit 28,000 additional soldiers to combat insecurity
-
News20 hours agoOpenAI restricts limited release of new model to US only