Northern Christians under the umbrella of Northern States Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have alleged that more than 1,000 teenage girls in the North have been subjected into Kaduna shortly after the election of new executive members of the association that there have been increased cases of abduction and forceful marriage of underaged girls in the region.
He warned traditional rulers and religious leaders in the region not to encourage forceful marriage of innocent underage girls against their wish, saying that that such practice is a violation of the constitutional rights of the girls and the Nigerian laws.
Rev Pam challenged the traditional and religious leaders to lead campaigns against underage forced marriages, noting that such practices have a disastrous impact on the education, health and emotional well being of the girls.
Rather than forcing the girls into early marriage, the new Northern CAN Chairman called on the traditional rulers and government in the region to send the young girls to school to enable them secure a better future.
He also called on security agencies to be proactive in such cases and ensure that perpetrators of such crime against humanity are brought to justice.
On Nigeria joining the Arab nations in the fight against terrorism, the Christian body urged the Federal Government to come out clean and explain to Nigerians the modalities involved in the coalition, and to ensure that their lives and property are guaranteed. (Channelstv, News Express).
