The Emir of Agaie in Niger State, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu has rescued two girls from their parents who wanted to force them into early marriage.Nuhu stated this to reporters shortly after a sensitisation campaign on Gender-based Violence (GBV) in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday.Nuhu said the girls are currently in his custody, saying he has refused to release them to their parents until they allow the girls to marry men of their choice.“Here in my emirate, I preach against early and forced marriage. Currently, I have two girls under my custody whose parents wanted to force into marrying men they never loved.“Until their parents agree to allow them to marry the men they love, I will not release the girls. This is because if they are forced into marriage, they might not live in peace as husbands and wives due to a lack of love,” he said.He described the sensitisation campaign as “key and timely” as it would complement the efforts of the council in sensitising members of the area to the dangers of child abuse, early marriage and domestic violence.
