By Daniel Tyokua
Two minors have been rescued from alleged forceful marriage to a 45 -year old man at Karu in the Federal Capital Territory, by the association of Abuja traditional rulers wives and Helpline Foundation for the needy.
The minors who were said to be in Primary school, the father, Dauda Adama, gave them out citing poverty as a compelling excuse for forcing Naima to marry an old scavenger popularly call (baban bola)
Adama, an indigene of Sokoto State revealed that he has two wives and six children and Naima’s mother was no more with him.
While speaking to newsmen, Naima expressed gratitude to the two Abuja-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for coming to her rescue, decrying that the marriage was against her wish, even as she stated her preference to complete her primary education and proceed to higher levels.
The two NGOs also intervened in another case of a early marriage of Naima’s niece, Sadika who was been lined up for marriage just after Naima.
15-year old Sadika Danjuma, who is in primary three, same school with Naima, also spoke against her early marriage.
The coordinator, Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers in FCT, Hannatu Usman Nga-Kupi’ who led some journalists to the place in Karu, stated that her organization was passionate about education of the girl-child in FCT and would do anything legally possible to rescue and educate them to whatever levels.
Nga-Kupi’, who is the wife of the Chief of Garki, Dr. Usman Ndga-Kupi’ disclosed that her organization got to know about the planned early marriage following a tip off from a teacher within the community who contacted President of the Helpline Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu.
Revealing that her association, in conjunction with Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja, was involved in the rescue of many girls involved in similar practices.
