A 14-year-old Gombe girl (names withheld), who was forced into early-child-marriage in Taraba State, has lamented the challenges she faced in the forced union with her wealthy spouse.

Narrating her ordeal in Gombe, the teenager cried out that she was forcefully married off through the support and consent of her grandfather, who connived with her parents and arranged the marriage “against my will.”

According to the adolescent teenage wife, her erstwhile husband ties her down before forcefully engaging in sexual intercourse with her.

She explained, “Barely one month after I got there, my grandfather connived with my parents and arranged the marriage against my will. He (erstwhile husband) started beating me and tying me down on the bed before raping me. Sometimes, he will call some people to help him hold my hands and tie me down.”

She lauded the government for providing her with food, shelter, and other essential support, while also expressing gratitude for the government’s intervention, adding, “The government has supported me and my relatives with foodstuffs, sleeping materials, and other interventions, including money, and they have promised to support me to continue my education which was stopped after primary school.”

Some of the items provided to the victim included: bags of rice, maize, packs of sugar, macaroni, insecticide-treated nets, wrappers, stove among others.

Decrying the challenges of the survivor, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Iganus, disclosed that rather than feeling sober and remorseful, the minor’s ‘husband’ has initiated legal actions against her for refusing to return.

Iganus said, “The Gombe State government is standing firm against all forms of child rights violations, including forced and underage marriages, rape, and all Gender-Based Violence.

“We have mobilised a legal team to ensure that this child is protected and allowed to study because that is what she wants.”

The commissioner further disclosed that the girl’s husband, who already has two wives, allegedly subjected her to physical and emotional abuse, stressing that, “The man used to invite some people into the room to help him tie her up on the bed and rape her without her consent.”

She continued, “You can see the scars on her both wrists. We will not allow that to continue.

“We are going to Taraba to defend her and ensure that the girl is protected by challenging any proceedings that violate her rights.

“The Gombe State Governor and the First Lady are not taking violence against women and girls for granted. Their actions (support) demonstrate this administration’s dedication to combating child rights violations and promoting the well-being of citizens,” she added. (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)