By Omar Bah
A 17-year-old girl from a village in Upper River Region has eloped with her lover to neighboring Senegal after her family allegedly refused to get her married to the man.
According to the young girl’s stepfather, she travelled through Sareh Njai around 3AM to a village in Senegal.
Speaking to The Standard via telephone, the girl herself said she decided to escape to Senegal with her lover because the stepfather wanted to marry her off to a man in Spain she didn’t love.
“I told my stepfather I want to marry my lover who is in Senegal, but he refused. I even reported the matter to the district chief. I wanted to stop going to school, all I wanted was to get married to him,” she added.
She said her parents should have allowed her to get married to the man of her choice.
However, her stepfather denied her claims, arguing he was already arranging for the 17-year-old to go to Banjul to further her education.
Meanwhile, the regional social welfare officer for URR Kebba Jatta, said her parents should allow her to do what she wishes.
