The umbrella body of Northern States Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to the abduction and forceful marriage of under aged girls in the region following the episode of Ese Oruru.

The body also warned traditional rulers and religious leaders not to encourage forceful marriage of underage girls against their wish, noting that such practice is a violation of their constitutional rights.

Its new Chairman, Reverend Yakubu Pam, in Kaduna on Saturday, stated that more than 1,000 teenage girls in the north have been subjected to forced marriage and converted to another religion against their wish.

Channels TV reports that Pam insisted that Ese’s case is one out of numerous of such cases in the North.

The Northern CAN Chairman urged traditional rulers and states government in the region to encourage young girls to take education seriously instead of endorsing early forceful marriage.

He further called on security agencies to be proactive in such cases and ensure that perpetrators of such crime against humanity are brought to justice.