Enugu Authorities Swiftly Nullify Illegal Underage Marriage, Arrest Parents Groom And Matchmaker Immediately

 

Videos and photographs circulating on social media recently have drawn widespread condemnation following the revelation of an underage marriage in Amufie community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area. The controversial union involved a young girl, Amarachi, and an adult male groom, prompting urgent intervention from state authorities.

The Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Women and Children Affairs, officially nullified the marriage, describing it as both illegal and harmful. Commissioner Ngozi Eni confirmed that officials acted swiftly after the ceremony’s documentation surfaced online, noting that the marriage had already been consummated before the intervention.

Authorities attempted to invite the families involved for questioning to understand the circumstances surrounding the child’s forced marriage. The investigation aimed to uncover why Amarachi, who had reportedly never attended school, was given out in marriage despite serious psychological, medical, and legal risks. The officials emphasized the dangers associated with early marriage, including cervical cancer, vesicovaginal fistula, and other life-threatening health complications.

Failure of the families to comply with official invitations led the ministry to facilitate their arrest. Those taken into custody included Amarachi’s parents, the groom and his parents, as well as Mrs. Patience, a native doctor who acted as the matchmaker for the ceremony. Mrs. Patience claimed ignorance of the criminality of child marriage, although she participated in arranging the union.

During private discussions with ministry officials, Amarachi disclosed that she had been forced into the marriage. The groom’s mother reportedly admitted that her motivation was simply to secure a wife for her only son, providing no justification for choosing an underage girl. Legal representatives from the ministry educated all parties on the Child Rights Law, the consequences of violating it, and the broader implications of gender-based violence.

Enugu State authorities have transferred the suspects to security agencies for further investigation. Amarachi and a two-year-old child, whose mother remains unidentified, are currently under the care of the ministry’s Head of Child Unit, where they are receiving protection, rehabilitation, and educational support.

Commissioner Eni reiterated the government’s dedication to ensuring Amarachi receives proper education and psychosocial care. She also commended the rapid response from local officials, including the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Chairman, the constituency’s House of Assembly member, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission, highlighting the collaborative effort in safeguarding child rights within the state.

The Enugu government’s decisive action underscores its commitment to preventing child marriage, promoting child welfare, and enforcing legal protections against harmful traditional practices that threaten the health and development of minors.