The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued a 12-year-old girl reportedly deceived into marriage to a 50-year-old farmer in Benue State.
The Makurdi Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Gloria Bai, said the victim was married off by her family.
the girl thought she was being taken to town to further her education, but on reaching the man’s house, she discovered she was to be his third wife.
According to Bai, preliminary investigations revealed that she was in the forced marriage for about three months, as the farmer abused her.
She added that the girl was rescued and put into protective custody, adding that the agency was making efforts to arrest the farmer, who was at large.