Plans are underway in Niger State to marry off 100 female orphans whose parents were killed following the deadly activities of banditry in the Mariga Local Government Area of the state.

Making the announcement to journalists in Minna, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, expressed concern about the rising number of the orphans.

The speaker, representing Mariga state constituency, made a commitment to pay the bride price for the bridegrooms as part of his constituency project.

He stated that the girls to be married off were chosen from the 170 girls whose names were submitted, but he failed to disclose the age range of the orphaned girls.

Mr Sarkindaji added that necessary materials for the mass marriage ceremony billed to take place at Bangi, the headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area, had been provided.

The lawmaker also said that the state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau, would serve as guardians to the female orphans during the ceremony.

He noted that the initiative was part of his constituency empowerment project to alleviate the suffering of the impoverished.

The Kano State Commander General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, is also billed to grace the occasion slated for May 24.