Abducted Benue girl regains freedom; reunites with family

The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has made good his promise to make sure the 15-year-old Benue State born girl, Patience Paul, who was allegedly abducted by two men, identified as Monde and Suleiman, and forcefully converted to Islam and given in marriage, is freed and reunited with her family.

Shortly after the abduction saga of Ese Oruru was brought to a close, a lawyer and human rights activist, Tsembelee Daniel Sorkaa, brought the case of Paul to limelight, leading to Tambuwal setting up a probe panel to uncover the truth and return the girl to her family.

Patience Paul before her abduction

Photo Credit: Facebook

The young girl was reportedly abducted last year by Monde and Suleiman who are said to be members of the Hisbah group, and housed in the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto where she was forced to convert to Islam and given out in marriage.

The rescued teenager's brother, Isaac Paul, released a statement thanking the Governor for effecting the release of his young sister.

Read the statement here:

“I, Isaac Paul, wish to use this opportunity to thank the Governor of Sokoto State, Governor Tambuwal, the Sultanate council, the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, the Justice Development and Peace Commission, the general public, all public social medias, all Nigerians and other private NGO’s both within and outside the country, who have assisted in one way or the other to help me see my sister Patience Paul, again.

I wish to use this medium to inform you all that as at the time of compiling this vote of thanks, Patience Paul, my sister who was abducted since 12th of August, 2015, at Gidan Kukah in Rungin Sambo area in Sokoto State, has been released to me in good health, with only a case of malaria after a test was run on her at the police clinic in Sokoto.

My joy knows no bound as she’s now back home and reunited with her siblings.

Those who collaborated in it have all been arrested and remained at the state C.I.D, as investigation still continues with the state C.I.D, which will eventually end in court soon.

I say may God also remember you in your time of difficulty, Amen.”