Ese Oruru, the 14-year-old girl abducted from Bayelsa eight months ago and taken to Kano where she was forcefully married, was Monday released to the police by her captors.
The release followed widespread condemnation of her abduction and criticism of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, over his handling of the matter.
Not spared of public outrage too was the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Mohammed Sanusi II), whose subject was said to have masterminded the criminal act.
Confirming the rescue, Force Public relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, disclosed that Arase has directed that the teenager be giving protection adding that she will be flown to Abuja on Tuesday to be re-united with her family.
Sanusi had earlier on Monday ordered the Kano State Sharia Commission to liaise with office of the Assistant Inspector General of police, Zone 1 to commence the process of returning Ese, allegedly abducted by one Yinusa of Kura Local Government Area, to her parents in Bayelsa.
He denied reports that he was holding Ese.
Addressing a news conference in Kano, the monarch described reports that he kept the girl in his palace as mischievous and baseless, said it was intended to tarnish the image of the Emirate.
He said: “I was surprised that BBC called me from South Africa to know my side of the story, which was crafted to tarnish the image of Emirate Council and Islam.
“In August 2015, the District Head of Kura came to the palace with a young girl of about 15 years.
“We were told that she was married to him after she was converted to Islam.”
Sanusi said he ordered Oruru’s immediate return to her parents who were said to be in Bayelsa State.
He added: “I also ordered the Kano State Shariah Commission to liaise with the Assistant Inspector General Zone 1 to assist in taking her back to her parents in Bayelsa through the AIG who oversees Bayelsa axis, for her safety.”
Sanusi said he solicited the intervention of the police because the girl was said to have made a statement that she was afraid that her parents could harm her.
He said: “In Islam, she has no right to just go ahead and decide things for herself.
“She is still young.
“She is not mature enough.
“And nowhere in Islam where such a young girl can just make up her mind and give her hands in marriage just like that.
“It is not permitted in Islam.
“That is why we said she must be taken back to her parents.”
Sanusi said he was surprised to hear that the District Head was still keeping her in his custody.
“This is injustice of the highest order,” he said.
