Nigeria: How Alleged Forced Marriage Is Causing Ripples in Katsina

16 October 2016
column

Katsina — The story of a female teenager, Habiba Isyaku Tanko, who hails from Wawar Kaza community in Kanakara Local Government Area of Katsina State, is enmeshed in controversies and generating ill feelings among families and religious bodies in the state. Dominated by issues of age disparity, alleged abduction, forceful conversion to Islam and marrying her off without the consent of her parents, Habiba's story will continue to occupy centre stage.

Habiba, a Christian, and Jamilu Lawal, a Muslim, allegedly met and fell in love at Wawar Kaza community. Her father, Isyaku Tanko, was not favourably disposed to their union; hence he tried all he could to separate them. He persistently persuaded his daughter to rethink, and asked Jamilu to keep off from any relationship with her.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.