Groom poisoned by 14-year-old bride in Jigawa narrates ordeal
Khamis Haruna, a 29-year-old groom from Jigawa State, has shared his shocking experience after he was poisoned by his 14-year-old bride just two days after their wedding. The incident, which occurred on December 22, 2024, has left one person dead and others hospitalised.
Speaking to journalists, Haruna revealed that he had been in a relationship with the bride for two years before their marriage. He expressed disbelief over the betrayal, stating, “We were married for love. She never showed any signs of resentment or worry. I’m really surprised she carried out such an evil act.”
Haruna explained that the poisoned meal, a dish of jollof spaghetti, was brought to his tailoring shop by the bride’s friends. He and two companions began eating but quickly noticed a harmful substance in the food.
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“A few minutes later, my friend Alfah began complaining of stomach pains. By the time we got to a friend’s house for help, all of us were feeling unwell,” he recounted.
They were rushed to Jahun Hospital, where Muhammad Alfah tragically passed away. Haruna and another friend, Isyaku Adamu, survived the ordeal.
Haruna alleged that his bride was influenced by an ex-lover who provided her with the poison, instructing her to add it to the food. Authorities have since arrested the bride, and investigations are ongoing.
This incident has reignited discussions on child marriage in Nigeria, particularly in states like Jigawa where the practice remains prevalent. While the Child Rights Act 2003 prohibits marriage for individuals under 18, Jigawa State’s legislature modified the law, allowing child marriages based on subjective determinations of maturity.
Critics argue that such cultural and legislative disparities undermine efforts to protect children’s rights and expose young brides to complex challenges, including exploitation and abuse.
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