PHOTOS: APC lawmaker comes under fire for endorsing “child marriage” in Niger

A Niger State lawmaker, Aliyu Umar, has come under heavy criticism for partaking in a marital union involving an elderly man and a very young girl.

Aliyu Mukun Soje Lapai (Aliyu Umar) is an APC lawmaker representing Lapai LGA in the state. He had posted the photos on his Facebook congratulating the groom who he identified as Alhaji Yakubu.

Many of Umar’s followers have condemned his endorsement of the union, though the bride’s age is not known.

“God will punish you old fools who go about using little girls as sex slaves giving them VVF,” one person, Sonia Ugo, said. “What is there to congratulate a grandpa who is about to mess up a child’s life?”

Child marriage is known to be prevalent in Northern Nigeria, with millions of young girls being denied access to education. Many Northerners who engage in child marriage hide under the guise of religion.