Child marriage under Nigerian constitution and Child Rights Act is illegal and punishable under the law. It is a criminalised practice that attracts imprisonment and heavy fines.
According to Girlsnotbride.org, 30.3% of girls in Nigeria are married before their 18th birthday and 12.3% are married before the age of 15. It is even known that child marriage is more prominent in North West, and North East of Nigeria and highest in Bauchi state. Some of the identified drivers of Child marriage include, poverty, displacement due to war, low level of education and harmful practices.
Little is known that this practice is considered cultural among the Akeddei Community of Bayelsa state.
On 31st of December, 2023, it was reported that the Bayelsa State government invited parents of a four-year-old girl and 54-year-old man who is allegedly involved in child marriage in Akeddei community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
According to the reports gathered, the 54-year-old man married the four year old girl with the consent of her parents.
According to her parents, it was a cultural right to prevent the child from dying.
Tribune Online spoke with some members of the community including the father of the concerned child and they have this to say.
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