Aisha Bello, a  17-year-old girl, living in Zamafara, attempted suicide because her boyfriend, one Umar Faruku said he could not pay her dowry and other traditional requirements

The teenager who is in a critical condition set herself ablaze on Saturday, September 7, but was quickly rescued by neighbours and passersby who were able to quench the fire.

Unfortunately, with the serious degree of injuries she sustained her parents could not afford to take her to a hospital due to poverty.

Narrating her ordeal to newsmen, Aisha stated that, she had decided to kill herself because she was tired of staying alone without a husband.

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Aisha further said she chose to die and be punished by God than become a prostitute.

“I decided to kill myself because the boy I am in love with refused to marry me. I love him dearly and he loves me too, but the problem with him is that he could not pay for my dowry and other traditional requirements”Aisha said.

The ward head of the area, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed who spoke on the issue maintained that being a leader as well as the closest neighbour to Aisha’s patents, he did all he could to arrange the marriage between Aisha and her suitor Aminu.

The ward head also confirmed that Aminu was jobless and his parents would not pay for his marriage because he has two elder brothers who were also not married and must get married before him.

The ward head stated that, when the girl insisted that, she was tired of staying alone, they invited Aminu to come and explain to her when he would be ready to arrange for the wedding, but Aminu instantly told Aisha that he was not prepared, asking her to look for someone else.

Immediately he (Aminu) left, Aisha went out and brought kerosene and matches without anybody knowing her intention. When she realised that, there was only one girl around, she brought out the kerosene and poured it on her body then scratched a match where she was immediately engulfed by fire.

She rushed out of her room and went out of the house screaming in pains where she was rescued by neighbors and passersby who were able to quench the fire.

The ward head of the area, Malam Aminu, appealed to Zamfara state government to come to the aid of Aisha by paying for her medical bills and also ensure that she married the boy she loved in order to save her life.