Seventy-year-old Tanko Isiyaku tells FRIDAY OLOKOR the story of his daughter, Habiba’s marriage to one Jamilu Lawal said to be an aide to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabiru Usman
Kindly tell us about yourself.
My name is Isiyaku Tanko. I am from Warkaza community in Kudun Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State. I am a Christian and belong to the ECWA denomination. I am 70 years old.
When did you hear about the marriage of your daughter to Jamilu Lawal, believed to be an aide to the Emir of Katsina?
It was when she left home that we heard about it. She left home on August 16.
When was the last time you saw her?
It was when I went to see the state commissioner of police about the matter that I saw her last. I have forgotten the date.
Did you marry her off to him?
I did not do that. She was forced into marriage.
Do you know Jamilu Lawal?
Yes, he lived close to us in the community.
When you said he lived close to your family, was he a friend to your family?
No, not at all.
Do you know if there was an affair between him and your daughter?
Honestly, I do not think anything like that happened.
Before she was taken away, did you notice any change in your daughter’s behaviour especially her religious beliefs?
No, there was no such thing. She did not change in any way, not even in her religion. She is a very dedicated Christian who believes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Is it true that you wrote the emirate council to apologise for any embarrassment you might have caused it on the issue of your daughter?
No. I was given a prepared form. I was only told to sign on it and with a threat that if I did not do so, they would kill me.
Did your family receive any money, precisely N50,000, as the bride price for her marriage to Lawal?
(Laughs).It is a lie from the pit of hell.
What would you want the government to do?
They should please help me and bring back my daughter. I want her to remain as she was before she was forcefully taken away from us. My daughter was a virgin before her abduction to the emir’s palace.
Is there a threat to your life and that of your family members because of the development?
I believe that I am fine. I believe that everything is alright; if God be for me, nothing can be against me.
What are you doing to get your daughter back since you said you did not give her out in marriage to Lawal or anybody?
I was forced to sign the form. I would not have allowed them to take her away from me. I was forced. I really want the Federal Government to support me because if they leave this battle for me, I won’t be able to do anything.
How old is she?
She is 14 years old.
Your daughter was asked three questions by the Kaora Katsina on behalf of the Katsina Emirate Council on whether she was forcefully converted to Islam, whether the emirate council or any other person forced her into the marriage and whether she was already menstruating at the time she met Lawal. She answered yes to the questions. Were you in the palace on that day?
Yes, I was. When they asked her to stand up and follow me, she refused saying she would not follow me. I believe that my daughter was charmed. The way I saw her that day was not the way my daughter was. She has never disobeyed me.
Is it true that when you went to the palace you were threatened?
Yes, I was molested. I faced serious threat, they even wanted to beat and mob me.
Did you go to the palace alone?
No, five people accompanied me there. They included Yahaya Umaru, Jiamakan Gabriel, Yusuf Haruna, Reverend Bankuru and Lubulumu.
How many children do you have?
I have eight children.
Are they all from the same woman?
Yes, from one woman. Habiba is my seventh child. I have four boys and four girls.
Has there been any of case of abduction of young female children for forced marriage in your community?
I have never seen any in my community. This is why I am very disturbed.
Are you not afraid your daughter could have been impregnated?
God will take control. I really do not know what to say as I am very disturbed at the moment. I pray such does not happen. She is still a small child. Before my daughter was taken away, she was a virgin but I do not know what is happening now. I want them to return my daughter to me as a virgin. That is what I want.
Has she started menstruating as the emirate council claimed before she met Lawal?
Honestly, I have never noticed anything of such.
What do you seek from President Muhammadu Buhari who is also from Katsina State regarding the matter?
I want President Muhammadu Buhari to assist me to get my daughter back. I desire nothing more.
Where is your wife?
She has travelled out of the community because the abduction of her daughter traumatised her. She has not been feeling well. I am also not feeling well at the moment because of the issue.
How did your other children receive the news of what happened to their sister?
Everybody is worried especially the last child who is a boy.
How old is your last child?
He clocked 12 years on Friday.
What class was your daughter before she was taken away?
She was in Junior Secondary School 3.
What has been the role of the police in the matter?
The Katsina State commissioner of police tried. He spoke strongly about the matter, telling them to give me back my daughter because she is a minor and still under her parents. He told them to allow her to go.
Hmmm
If not, what happens ?
Ur daughter wil b raped n her toto turn into pieces u piece of shit
You should have answered first before the prayer & abuses.
How ever, l ll wait for an answer from other volunteers. That is if you dont know.
See one of them.
My prayer for you this morning is that one of your daughter will be raped,…that’s if u have one, when will you pple learn to reasonable. 14 years old girl, a minor, that’s shameful for an emir, u northerners are the reason y Nigeria is more backward today,if a whole emir can do this,this is pathetic and u are here supporting him also, u belong to the zoo,…
@doyin God has heard your words & he ll judge us and mete punishment on the guide btw us. I say ” Amin. ”
If u think your ascertion s re right, pls say AMEN.
*”Mete punishment on the guilty btw us. ” line 3
@Doyin,Pls read above conversations and Pls respond. May God help us. Amin
If I knew your daughter, I will rape her myself. Idiot.
Them go help am sew am back. No wahala shikena!!!!!
…….. Virginity…….. Loading………
Aggrieved father! anyone in ur shoes will do the same but what you asking for is the impossible,she’s already defiled and you have to accept it.. what you need do is to seek justice for her by reporting to NGo’s in charge of issues like this so her abductors will be answerable for their actions
No so una do? Why you dey shout
Emir abeg return d gal marriage no be by force haaa wetin, why old man like u wan use ur reggae spoil d small gal blues.
U don vex ooo.. God is watching all of them
emir married her rightfully… the problem is the man who took her to the emir claiming her guardian
Hmmmmm i am speechless, very pathetic, may God help the poor.. Becas if this man is rich or well known in the society, I strongly believe no body Wil try His patience…. God Almighty Wil surely fight for u and your family.. Amen
no be the rich fault
Is wat?? Pls Discuss it
Rich matter join. Why dey no force Dangote’s daughter or other prominent man.
Vera Ngozi Vera you understand it better…
Its a sad situation
Very sad situation my dear @ Flora OnoKs Ify
u are right bright eka, if it is a rich man daughter they won’t try it, I pity d girl
Such is life my dear.. The poor r really suffering.. He is the Father of the gal.. He hav every right to stop the child from early marriage..
Emir of kastina……..a pity
But itz a muslim doctrin sir… Why complaining…. Lmao
the girl n Family are not Muslems.she was abducted and then declare she has been converted
Okkkk… Hmmm
Naija ppl
Chain its a pity
That is very bad why must they be forcing such young girls into marriage
It is completely unislamic to force a girl to marriage
Shut the fuck up. You can’t be more Muslim than your emir.
Even some of them does not trust their self imaging President buhari insisted that his fellow APC governor even as a fellow Muslim that he will not Mary his daughter then this emir forcefully took a handicapped man daughter because he has no money let that governor try it with buhari and see what happens to him
he didn’t forcefully took. anybody
At anie may it happen to u
hmmmmm…..i hate hearing things like this ….
Story the man go Don browse the Internet since.
Irrelevant tradition/Child abuse. Is quite Pathetic
Was she kidnapped?where were u wen she was taken?
Imagine such a question coming here also, hmmm Lord have mercy
who forced her into early marriage before?
Wat is broken can not be replaced. Take heart sir
This is totally child abuse whether she was forcefully taken or not what is all this madness this girl is still very tender to be a wife or whatever especially to someone old enough to be her father…..a country were the rich and powerful is above the law anything is possible anyway God is the judge he sees everything.
shey d man dey mad ni… make he go meet d person way BA ILE OBA JE
Were do u went to.wen ur daughter went out?
@ Maria, hmmmmm. My sister, she is nt the only christains girls dat hv been humilliated like this,in the country Reports hv been taking to the said NGO’S wot are the out cums? wot happens to the perpetrators? Wot do u think will happens wen all they perpetrators brothers hv dominated the sits and they are the same ppl u tender ur grievances to? Is part of Jihadit against christains in Nigeria. If nt dat why such attrocities is nt been commited on muslem under age girls? Why are they interested on forceful coverting and forceful marriage on our ladies?
There’s more to what they’re doing than we can comprehend,its God that can save us from them
This is the attitude of hausa muslims, they will hijack Christian people’s children and brain wash them then marry her off, what kind of thing is that? Why are u people so troublesome? Where as you can’t tolerate such. You people are devil
I wish people can see the innocent girl as their daughter or younger sister b4 commenting, then we will be in the right emotional state to comment better! That girl for Christ sake is too young to know what marriage is all about, pls no matter the religion she is too young.This is not good at all…Daddy Emir pls return that girl to her parents this is highly unfair.
Daddy one is daddy Emir? Like he deserves any respect, to hell with him and his stupid position that he is using to oppress people..Hell awaits him….stupid pple.
Daddy Emir. Lol. Stupid pedophile
Child abuse
Ingrate,what about those that their daughter had gone finally(dead).
It appears we have two conflicting and contradicting constitutions in Nigeria i.e. One that makes marriage to minors a criminal offense and one that legalize it. which should have precedence over the other? A nation should have one constitution. Two conflicting constitution already indicates a divided nation. Can any one expatiate on this. I want to understand more. Thanks.
Baba, half bread is better than none o! manage am back like that.
How did u know she was a virgin before? Because girls of now a days are technically corrupt……
STFU
Lol… Bros that’s not the main point, the point is the girl is 14, she’s a minor according to the law of this country, an old foolish emir shouldn’t have forcefully married her out to someone else,.. Try and be rational sometimes when giving comment, will u be happy if this happen to one of your sisters…always call a spade a spade, brother
Even if she is not a virgin, does it concern you?? Must you steal her and rape her?? Get small sense abeg!!
Ngwanu…the virgin must return….make it a prayer!!
I’m sure we get prayer warriors here#dramaeverywhere
hmmmmm
All these neve happened in previous administration. God is watching. Now all the so-called good muslim will not come and condemn this.
14year old in Marriage, is far better than been 14years old in a baby Factory.
Early marriage has being in there blood, they refused to correct it from day 1,and now they are trying to correct it, and would that be possible, all I will say to these man,is that he should look for a way,to fight it out, with them. I don’t know what is wrong with some Muslim ,that is how ESE oruru,was kidnapped by an Hausa boy,and taking to the palace of an emeir ,my question is,must they kidnapped before they get married,and if that being the case,our daughters are not safe anymore in these country
So disheartening
Its painful that these muslims want our xtain dotas by all means. Did u notice that even bkh went for only xtain girls in chibok ?
Sorry, but this is what it is baba. Please don’t put this girl through anymore torment, she has been through enough already, making statements like that will not help the situation you’re in. May the ALMIGHTY strengthen and heal you and your family, for the task ahead is great.