The Bayelsa State Government has summoned the parents and relatives of a 4-year-old girl who was allegedly married to a 54-year-old man in a traditional ceremony in Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

The government’s intervention came after media reports of the controversial marriage that took place on December 26, 2023, sparked public outrage and condemnation.

The government said the marriage was illegal, repugnant, and a violation of the child’s rights and dignity.

The Ministry of Women, Children Affairs and Social Development and the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) Bayelsa said they received a formal complaint from a child rights advocacy group, DO Foundation, on the matter.

They also said they invited the traditional ruler of the Akeddei community, who promised to produce the child, her parents, the groom, the youth leader, and the chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) before the government panel.

The government said it would not tolerate any form of child marriage in the state, and warned the perpetrators that they would face the full wrath of the law.

The government also said it would take steps to rescue the child from the custody of the groom and his family, and provide her with medical and psychological care.

The government also urged the public to report any case of child marriage or abuse to the relevant authorities, and assured them of its commitment to protect the rights and welfare of children in the state.