By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA — The member representing Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency of Delta State, Solomon Ahwinawhi, yesterday, said his collaboration with his colleague from Kano State, Nasiru Garo, helped in the release of Ese.

The lawmaker, who also commended the efforts of security agencies and the media for their efforts in ensuring the release of the girl, in an interview with journalists in Abuja, explained that he was pressed upon not to raise the matter on the floor of the House by his colleague who promised to take it up with the Emir.

Ahwinawhi said Garo travelled to Kano immediately to discuss with the Emir of Kano, HH Muhammadu Sanusi, who later explained that he had earlier directed that the abducted girl be released to her family.

Ahwinawi, who represents the girl’s federal constituency, thanked Nigerians for their support in ensuring the release of Ese, who was kidnapped by Yinusa, a.k.a. Yellow, a commercial tricycle operator in Yenagoa.

He said he had to contact Garo after the parents of the abducted girl petitioned him.

He said based on the intervention of Garo, it was discovered that the abducted girl was being held somewhere at Tofa, adding that the lawmaker’s intervention resulted in the Emir directing the district head of Tofa to ensure that Yinusa was charged before a Sharia court for kidnapping a minor.

While commending the Police and Department of State Service, DSS, for doing a good job, Ahwinawhi also thanked his constituents for their perseverance and maintaining peace throughout the duration of the abduction saga.