The DO Foundation, a child rights advocacy group in Bayelsa State, has strongly condemned the traditional marriage that took place on December 26 between a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state. In a statement signed by the foundation’s chairperson, Mr. Elvis Mannie, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa, the foundation labeled the marriage as illegal, criminal, and a violation of the constitution and the Child Rights Act.
Describing child marriage as horrendous, despicable, and a criminal activity, the foundation emphasized the need to protect the rights of the child and ensure justice. Bayelsa State domesticated the Child’s Right Law in 2016, making child marriages and betrothals illegal and prescribing various terms of imprisonment and heavy fines.
The DO Foundation called on the state government, the Gender Response Initiative Team, and all stakeholders in the gender response system to take immediate action in response to the incident. The group urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter to protect the child from sexual exploitation. Additionally, the foundation demanded the arrest and prosecution of all individuals found culpable in the act.
In response to the situation, the DO Foundation has initiated its own investigation to intervene and safeguard the child from this distressing situation. The marriage between the four-year-old girl and the 54-year-old man, identified as Elder Akpos, reportedly took place at the request of the girl’s parents. The girl allegedly expressed a willingness to die if she couldn’t marry the man, prompting the community to organize a wedding ceremony to avoid losing her to such a tragic fate.
