The pre-wedding photographs of a couple from Benue State have ignited a fierce debate across social media platforms, with concerns raised about the bride's age and the possibility of an underage marriage.
Photos Trigger Online Concern and Investigation
The images, featuring Michael and his fiancée identified as Angel, show a noticeable age difference between the pair. This visual gap quickly led to a flood of comments from Nigerians online, with a significant number voicing suspicion that the woman might be under the legal age for marriage.
However, some observers offered a counter-perspective, suggesting that Angel might simply have a youthful or "baby-faced" appearance. The couple has publicly announced their plans to marry on December 13, 2025, in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
Local Activist Sounds the Alarm
Adding a formal voice to the public concern, a Benue activist named Zeke Orkwande, who hails from the community, shared the photos on his Facebook page on Monday. In his post, he directly called for an inquiry into the girl's age to prevent a potential child marriage.
"Good morning my people, I hope this isn't a case of underaged marriage about to happen in Ikyurav-ya, Kwande Local Government Area? Somebody help check," Orkwande wrote. He drew a parallel to a recent incident in Enugu state, where police arrested a 30-year-old man for marrying a 13-year-old girl, with both parents also detained.
Calls for Caution and Context
Despite raising the alarm, the activist also urged the public not to rush to judgment. "Well, let's not conclude yet, some people are born with ever young blood and baby faces. Maybe Angel isn't underage as we see in photos. Let's not judge the book by its cover yet," he stated, ending his message with "CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM."
The situation highlights the ongoing vigilance required from communities and activists in the fight against child marriage in Nigeria. It underscores the delicate balance between raising legitimate concerns based on observable evidence and respecting individuals' rights while awaiting verified facts. The public now awaits further clarification on the bride's actual age as the planned 2025 wedding date approaches.
