Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has directed the state’s Human Rights Commission to wade into the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old Miss Patience Paul, on August 12, 2015.
This came as Pan-Idoma group, Opiatoha K ‘Idoma, yesterday, pleaded with the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Inspector General, Solomon Arase, to intervene and ensure the girl was released without delay.
The governor’s directive came against the backdrop of reports of forcible abduction of the Benue-born girl, who was alleged to be held in the palace of the Sultan. The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the commission should conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and report to him.
The statement read: “On the case of alleged forceful abduction/forceful conversion of 15-year-old Patience Paul from Benue State, in Sokoto State, I wish to make the following statement. “On Wednesday, March 2, Governor Aminu Tambuwal directed the state Human Rights Commission to undertake a thorough investigation into the allegations and report same to the government.
“In the interim, the Human Rights Commission was asked to present an interim report and update the public with all information as it becomes available. “In the first 24 hours, the Commission has contacted the Sultanate Council and the state police command for a briefing.
“The Commission has also spoken to the state Hisbah Commission, as well as the person whose phone number was given in the initial allegation made online. “Despite efforts, however, the Rights Commission has been unable to contact the family of Patience Paul or anyone who will shed more light on the allegations. “It has now opened a public plea, urging Ms Paul’s family or representatives to contact it for a detailed briefing.
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