A young woman in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State has reportedly taken her own life after being forced by her father to marry one of his friends.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls against forced marriages in the region.
It happened on Sunday evening around 6:20 p.m., when the woman, said to be under intense emotional distress, ended her life after continuous pressure from her family to proceed with the arranged marriage, according to reports.
A local child protection volunteer, Bukar Fantami Gubio, confirmed the incident and described it as deeply unfortunate and heartbreaking.
He said the deceased had repeatedly told her family that she did not want to marry the man chosen by her father.
According to him, she was in love with another person of her choice.
“The emotional pain and pressure she went through as a result of this forced marriage pushed her into taking her own life,” Gubio said.
He added that the tragedy was a sad reality that calls for urgent attention.
Gubio called on human rights organizations, law enforcement agencies, and relevant authorities to investigate the matter and ensure justice for the victim.
He urged parents and community leaders to respect the rights and choices of young women in marriage decisions.
He emphasized that forced marriage remains a serious violation of human rights.
“This tragedy is a reminder of the urgent need to protect the rights, freedom, and dignity of young women against all forms of abuse and coercion,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, the police and government of Borno State were yet to officially comment on the incident.
