Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled a child marriage involving a 15-year-old girl and a 52-year-old man in the Idoani, Ose Local Council Area of the state.

The minor was allegedly given out in marriage to one Sunday Asere, popularly known as ‘Santo’ in the community, by the ‘bride’s’ father, Ayoola Sunday, on August 28, 2025.

According to the spokesperson of the command, Olayinka Ayanlade, police operatives stormed the venue of the event where arrangements had been made to consummate the marriage.

Ayanlade stated that with the father of the bride and the intended groom arrested, the son of Santo, Asere Kehinde, was also apprehended, adding that the intervention was made possible following credible intel received.

He said, “The operation, which took place on the morning of Thursday, August 28th, 2025, is being hailed as a testament to the efficacy of community-police collaboration. Authorities have stated that the timely action not only saved the child from exploitation but also averted a potential violent confrontation within the community.

“The rescue mission was initiated when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Idoani Division received urgent information from a concerned community leader. The report detailed that the young girl was imminently to be given in marriage to one Asere Sunday, a 52-year-old local popularly known as “Santo”.

“Acting on this intelligence, police operatives were immediately deployed to the specified venue. Upon arrival, they successfully extracted the minor from the situation. The team subsequently arrested the principal suspect, Asere Sunday, alongside his 22-year-old son, Asere Kehinde, and the father of the victim, Ayoola Sunday.

“Following her rescue, the teenager was promptly taken to the Reference Hospital on Igbatoro Road in Akure for a comprehensive medical examination and to receive necessary care and support.

“During preliminary interrogations, the alleged groom, Asere Sunday, confessed to orchestrating the marriage arrangement. He admitted to having offered a sum of money to the girl’s father in exchange for her hand in marriage and confirmed that plans were already advanced to perform traditional matrimonial rites.

“In a statement that highlighted the tragic socio-economic drivers of such crimes, the victim’s father, Ayoola Sunday, cited severe poverty and financial hardship as the primary reasons for his decision to give his underage daughter away.”

Meanwhile, the planned union had sparked unrest among youths in the community, who had earlier mobilised to resist the marriage.