Summary
A 30-year-old man has been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command after a viral video showed him marrying a 13-year-old girl in Enugu. The wedding video prompted swift intervention from the police and the commissioner of the Enugu State Ministry of Gender, Women and Children Affairs, leading to the arrest of the 30-year-old man on Nov. 27, 2025, and the placement of the 13-year-old girl under protective care.
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man on Nov 27, 2025, after he married a 13-year-old girl identified as Amarachi in Amufie community, Enugu State.
He was arrested on Nov. 27, 2025, alongside others who participated in organising the underage marriage. The arrest comes after a video of the man’s traditional wedding to the girl went viral, with the public outraged. The video prompted swift action from the Enugu State Police Command and the Commissioner for the Enugu State Ministry of Gender, Women and Children Affairs.
According to the Commissioner Hon. Ngozi Enih, they had earlier invited the man and their families to explain why they would give out such a young girl in marriage, given the negative effects of underage marriage, including risks of cervical cancer, psychological trauma, and other regrettable consequences.
“Their refusal left us with no option but to involve law enforcement to protect the child and uphold the law,” the Commissioner explained.
Hon. Ngozi Enih disclosed that the state had to intervene to nullify the illegal marriage, which had already been consummated.
“The mother of the groom said he was an only son and that was why she had to secure a wife for him, but kept mum when told that she could not have secured an underage girl for a wife,” the Commissioner said.
Those taken into custody included the groom, the girl’s parents, the groom’s parents, and a woman described as a matchmaker or a native doctor. State officials also met privately with the 13-year-old girl, who said she was forced into the marriage and had never attended school.
The government, through the Enugu State Ministry of Gender, Women and Children Affairs, has placed Amarachi under protective care, with plans to provide her access to education and psychological support.
