The piece with the above title published on the back page of the Daily Trust of March 8, 2016, purportedly by one Abdulrazaq Magaji, refers.
Purportedly because it is doubtful if the name ascribed to the author is really his own. One can discern the identity of people not only by their names but also by the workings of their minds, either by listening to or reading them. It is unfortunate that because Nigerians view and analyse issues or events through tribal or sectional prisms, issues such as the Ese Oruru/Yunusa ‘Yellow’ saga will continue be blown out of proportion. Our sentiments often take hold of us and we seem to always be looking for opportunities to ignite conflicts.
In the first place, Yunusa’s father deserves praise rather than blame because, as an elderly illiterate villager, in my opinion he did the right thing under the circumstances. If the writer had followed the story well in the media, he would have known that the father reported the matter promptly to the appropriate authorities on the day the girl came to his house.
Actually, Malam Dahiru strongly objected to what his son did and were it not for his prompt report to the village head, the Emir of Kano would not have known about it and reported the case to the police.
As enlightened people we should not always believe everything we read in some biased newspapers, particularly concerning her alleged abduction and age. We should all wait for the outcome of the trial where the truth will surface, that is if neither the boy nor the girl is made under duress to say what they do not intend to. Has the writer ever heard that Ese’s mother came to Kura to convey her daughter back home but she refused to follow her, saying she would be harmed if she did? Before rushing to write his piece, has he also ever cared to find out the exact age of the girl, who he says is only a kid of 13 years?
Shu’aibu Maigari, Kano
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