Khamis Haruna, a 29-year-old groom from Jigawa State, has opened up about the shocking incident in which he was poisoned, allegedly by his 14-year-old bride, just two days after their wedding. Haruna revealed that the two had been in a relationship for two years before tying the knot.
Speaking to reporters from his hospital bed, Haruna expressed disbelief and heartbreak. “We were married for love,” he said. “She never showed any signs of resentment or worry. I’m truly surprised she carried out such an evil act.”
The incident occurred on Sunday, December 22, 2024. According to Haruna, his bride’s friends brought a meal of jollof spaghetti to his tailoring shop, where he and two friends were present. “We had taken a few spoons when we noticed something strange in the food,” he recounted.
Shortly after, one of his friends, Muhammad Alfah, began experiencing severe stomach pains. “By the time we reached a friend’s house for help, all of us were unwell,” Haruna said. They were rushed to Jahun Hospital, where Alfah tragically passed away. Haruna and another friend, Isyaku Adamu, survived.
Haruna alleged that his young bride was influenced by an ex-lover who provided her with the poison, instructing her to add it to the food.
The incident has reignited concerns about child marriage in Nigeria. Although the Child Rights Act of 2003 prohibits marriage for anyone under 18, Jigawa State amended the act to allow child marriage, citing cultural norms and subjective measures of maturity.
Child marriage remains prevalent in northern Nigeria, despite legal restrictions in other parts of the country. This case has further highlighted the dangers and complexities surrounding the practice.
