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Enugu State halts a forced child marriage in Amufie, arrests involved parties, and places Amarachi under protective care.

The Enugu State Government has stepped in to stop a disturbing case of child marriage after videos of a wedding involving an underaged girl, identified as Amarachi, went viral online.

The ceremony reportedly took place in Amufie, a community in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA, and had sparked outrage across social media as Nigerians condemned the union.

Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Ngozi Eni, confirmed on Thursday, November 27, that the state moved swiftly to halt what she described as an “illegal and harmful marriage.”

Officials discovered that the union had already been consummated before the government’s intervention.

According to the ministry, invitations were first sent to the families involved to explain why a minor was handed out in marriage despite the severe health, psychological, and legal dangers.

When none of the parties honoured the invitation, authorities facilitated their arrest.

Those taken into custody include Amarachi’s parents, the groom, his parents, and a matchmaker identified as Mrs Patience, a native doctor who claimed she did not know child marriage was a criminal offence.

During a private session with child protection officials, Amarachi revealed that she was forced into the marriage and had never been enrolled in school.

The groom’s mother, the ministry added, admitted she only wanted a wife for her only son but could not justify choosing a child.

The ministry’s legal team subsequently briefed all involved on the Child Rights Law and the penalties for violating it.

They were also educated on the dangers of early marriage, including gender-based violence, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), and long-term risks like cervical cancer.

Authorities have now handed the suspects over to security agencies for deeper investigation.

Meanwhile, Amarachi and a two-year-old child whose mother has not been identified are currently under the care of the state’s Head of Child Unit.

Commissioner Eni assured that the government will prioritise Amarachi’s education, safety, and rehabilitation.

She also thanked Igbo-Eze North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ogalla, the area’s House of Assembly member, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission for their swift support throughout the intervention.