Edo Edo Ministry Reunites Two Rescued Teenagers with Family
The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has reunited two female teenagers, Elizabeth Yawe, 15, and Anadoh Yawe, 12, with their family after they were rescued from Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The teenagers were formally handed over today by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, to their elder brother, Torkuma Yawe, and their aunt, Dorothy Yawe, following several weeks in the safe custody and care of the Ministry.
The two girls, who are indigenes of Makurdi, Benue State, had been living in Abuja with their father following the separation of their parents over irreconcilable differences. According to information provided to the Ministry, the girls’ mother, who identified herself as Agnes Odafe, but was reportedly known to her former husband’s family as Favour Yawe, allegedly took the children away about five years ago to live with a man with whom she was cohabiting.
The children were subsequently left stranded in Otuo and were reportedly seen roaming the streets and, at times, begging for food. They also alleged that the man they were staying with refused to allow them to remain in his home because they would not attend the same church with him. The girls further alleged that he made attempts to sexually molest them on different occasions, which they resisted.
Their eventual rescue followed the intervention of a concerned indigene of Otuo who assisted the girls in contacting their father after they recalled his telephone number. The father, upon receiving the call, contacted his younger sister, Dorothy Yawe, who resides in Makurdi.
Dorothy subsequently reached out to Mrs Ronke Ojeikere of Society to Heighten Awareness of Women and Children Abuse;(SOTHAWACA), who alerted the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development about the plight of the children.
Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, immediately directed that a rescue mission be undertaken to Otuo to ensure the safety and protection of the teenagers.
The children were successfully rescued and taken into the protective custody of the Ministry, while their mother was arrested and handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
Since their rescue, the Ministry has provided the teenagers with a safe and supportive environment while efforts were made to trace and verify their family connections and facilitate their reunification with responsible relatives.
Speaking during the handover, Commissioner Abdallah reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to protecting children and vulnerable persons from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of violence.
She stressed that the Ministry would continue to respond promptly to cases involving children at risk and work with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of children across the state.
The Commissioner also commended the concerned indigene who first assisted the girls, Ronke Ojeikere of SOTHOWACA for promptly alerting the Ministry, as well as the family members who worked with the authorities to secure the safe return of the teenagers.
Daisy Osunde
Director of Media
MWASD Ministry Reunites Two Rescued Teenagers with Family
The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has reunited two female teenagers, Elizabeth Yawe, 15, and Anadoh Yawe, 12, with their family after they were rescued from Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The teenagers were formally handed over today by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, to their elder brother, Torkuma Yawe, and their aunt, Dorothy Yawe, following several weeks in the safe custody and care of the Ministry.
The two girls, who are indigenes of Makurdi, Benue State, had been living in Abuja with their father following the separation of their parents over irreconcilable differences. According to information provided to the Ministry, the girls’ mother, who identified herself as Agnes Odafe, but was reportedly known to her former husband’s family as Favour Yawe, allegedly took the children away about five years ago to live with a man with whom she was cohabiting.
The children were subsequently left stranded in Otuo and were reportedly seen roaming the streets and, at times, begging for food. They also alleged that the man they were staying with refused to allow them to remain in his home because they would not attend the same church with him. The girls further alleged that he made attempts to sexually molest them on different occasions, which they resisted.
Their eventual rescue followed the intervention of a concerned indigene of Otuo who assisted the girls in contacting their father after they recalled his telephone number. The father, upon receiving the call, contacted his younger sister, Dorothy Yawe, who resides in Makurdi.
Dorothy subsequently reached out to Mrs Ronke Ojeikere of Society to Heighten Awareness of Women and Children Abuse;(SOTHAWACA), who alerted the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development about the plight of the children.
Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, immediately directed that a rescue mission be undertaken to Otuo to ensure the safety and protection of the teenagers.
The children were successfully rescued and taken into the protective custody of the Ministry, while their mother was arrested and handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
Since their rescue, the Ministry has provided the teenagers with a safe and supportive environment while efforts were made to trace and verify their family connections and facilitate their reunification with responsible relatives.
Speaking during the handover, Commissioner Abdallah reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to protecting children and vulnerable persons from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of violence.
She stressed that the Ministry would continue to respond promptly to cases involving children at risk and work with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of children across the state.
The Commissioner also commended the concerned indigene who first assisted the girls, Ronke Ojeikere of SOTHOWACA for promptly alerting the Ministry, as well as the family members who worked with the authorities to secure the safe return of the teenagers.
Daisy Osunde
Director of Media
MWASD
