Edo Women Affairs Ministry Rescues, Reunites Two Teenagers with Family

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has reunited two teenage girls, Elizabeth Yawe, 15, and Anadoh Yawe, 12, with their family after rescuing them from Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.

The girls, who are indigenes of Makurdi, Benue State, were formally handed over by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, to their elder brother, Torkuma Yawe, and aunt, Dorothy Yawe, following several weeks in the protective custody and care of the Ministry.

The teenagers had reportedly been living in Abuja with their father after their parents separated. According to information made available to the Ministry, the girls were subsequently taken away by their mother and later became stranded in Otuo, where they were reportedly seen roaming the streets and begging for food.

The girls also alleged that a man they had been staying with refused to allow them to remain in his home because they would not attend the same church with him and allegedly made attempts to sexually molest them, which they resisted.

Their rescue followed the intervention of a concerned indigene of Otuo, who helped the girls contact their father after they recalled his telephone number. Their father subsequently contacted his sister, Dorothy Yawe, in Makurdi, who reached out to Mrs. Ronke Ojeikere of the Society to Heighten Awareness of Women and Children Abuse (SOTHAWACA).

Following the report, Ojeikere alerted the Ministry, prompting Commissioner Abdallah to immediately direct a rescue operation to Otuo. The girls were successfully rescued and placed in the Ministry’s protective custody, while their mother was arrested and handed over to law enforcement authorities for further investigation and necessary action.

During their stay in the Ministry’s care, the teenagers were provided with a safe and supportive environment, while officials worked to verify their family connections and facilitate their safe reunification with responsible relatives.

Speaking during the handover, Abdallah reaffirmed the Edo State Government’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable persons from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of violence.

She said the Ministry would continue to respond promptly to cases involving children at risk and collaborate with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to safeguard the rights, safety and wellbeing of children across the state.

The Commissioner commended the concerned indigene who first assisted the girls, Mrs. Ronke Ojeikere of SOTHAWACA, and the family members for their cooperation in ensuring the teenagers’ safe return to their family.