Benue Social Media Erupts as Activist Elder Publicly Congratulates Couple Over Allegedly Involving Underage Bride in Ikyurav-Ya

A major controversy has broken out on social media in Benue State after a prominent Idoma personality, D’naked Elder Zege’Orkwande, openly congratulated a couple in Ikyurav-Ya, Kwande Local Government Area, amid widespread whispers that the bride, identified only as “Angel,” is significantly underage.

In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, the elder wrote:
“Good morning my people, I hope this isn’t a case of underage marriage about to happen in Ikyurav-Ya, Kwande Local Government Area? Somebody help check.”

He then referenced the recent arrest in Enugu State of a 30-year-old man and the parents of a 13-year-old girl over child marriage, before adding:
“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.”

The post ended with a bold: “CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM” alongside a photo of the couple.

The message has sparked outrage across Tiv and Idoma online communities, with many accusing the elder of trivializing and indirectly endorsing child marriage at a time when campaigners are pushing hard to eradicate the practice in rural Benue communities.

Critics argue that publicly congratulating the couple, even with a disclaimer, normalizes the harmful tradition and undermines efforts by the state government and NGOs to enforce the Child Rights Act.

As of Monday afternoon, neither the family of the bride nor Kwande Local Government authorities have issued any statement on the age of the girl or the circumstances surrounding the marriage.

Child rights advocates have called on the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and the police to immediately investigate the matter and establish the true age of the bride to prevent another case of child marriage from going unaddressed.

The post continues to generate heated debates online, with thousands of reactions and shares, highlighting the deep cultural tensions surrounding early marriage in parts of the state.