The DO Foundation, a child rights advocacy group in Bayelsa, vehemently opposed the recent traditional marriage ceremony on Dec. 26 between a 4-year-old ‘bride’ and a 54-year-old man in Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement provided to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa, Mr. Elvis Mannie, the Bayelsa Chairperson of DO Foundation, labelled the marriage as illegal, criminal, and a violation of the constitution and the Child Rights Act.
The foundation strongly denounced the child marriage as atrocious, deplorable, and an unlawful act.
Stressing the significance of the Child’s Right Law, which has been in force in Bayelsa since its domestication in 2016, the foundation noted its role in criminalising child marriages and betrothals, prescribing severe penalties including imprisonment and hefty fines.
The DO Foundation urged prompt action from the Bayelsa government, the Gender Response Initiative Team, and all stakeholders involved in gender response mechanisms to address this alarming situation.
Additionally, it called upon security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to protect the child from potential sexual exploitation.
The group demanded the apprehension and prosecution of all individuals involved in this condemnable act and initiated its own investigation to rescue the child from this distressing circumstance.
Reports indicated that the marriage between the four-year-old ‘bride’ and the 54-year-old man, known as Elder Akpos, was arranged by the girl’s parents. Allegedly, the parents claimed that the man was her husband in their previous life.
Community sources further said that the toddler claimed the man was her previous husband who had mysteriously passed away. She narrated her quest to be born to different parents over the years, searching for her former spouse.
The source recounted the little bride’s resolution, stating that if she couldn’t marry her ‘husband,’ she would have no purpose in the Akeddei community and would peacefully depart.
To prevent the tragic loss of the girl, the community organised an elaborate wedding ceremony to commemorate the union of the supposed former life partners. (NAN)
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