Northern leaders involved in child marriages are kidnappers – Rev. Datiri

Forum 7 years ago

Northern leaders involved in child marriages are kidnappers – Rev. Datiri

The President of Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, Rev. Dachollom Datiri, has blasted Northern elders involved in allegedly converting and forcefully marrying minors.

He described the action as shameful and inhuman.

According to Datiri, such persons should be treated as kidnappers for abducting teenage girls.


Rev. Datiri, speaking on Monday ywhile declaring open the 91 general church council meeting, held at the COCIN headquarters Jos, the Plateau state capital, urged the Federal Government, to take decisive action against the leaders in question, some of whom he claimed were in the National Assembly.

The clergyman said, “The church will continue to kick against early marriage and rape.

“The alleged conversion and marriage of minors by key leaders in this country is, at best laughable. Anyone less than 18-years-old is considered a minor and incapable of making legally binding choices according to the Nigeria Constitution.

“This action by some prominent leaders in Northern Nigeria is shameful, barbaric and inhuman.”


“We call on the Federal government to prevail on such leaders to do the right thing as civilized, reasonable and honourable persons.

“We urge President Muhamadu Buhari to redouble efforts and rescue other abducted Chibok girls who are still languishing in captivity,” the clergyman stated.