A Nigerian lady has expressed profound shock after experiencing a deeply controversial tradition during her visit to Benue State. She was told that in this locale, a man can claim a woman as his wife simply by firing a gun into the air—regardless of whether she consents.
The astonishing revelation was shared in a video posted on TikTok by user @ulenusetv, where the woman recounted her conversation with locals who explained the custom to her.
She revealed that if a man finds her attractive while she's visiting, he can fire a shot into the air and instantly “marry” her, even without bride price or her involvement: “In this state I am, Benue State, if a man sees me and likes me, once he has shot a gun in the air, he has claimed me. If I want or not, he has paid my bride price like that.”
She continued, detailing how she first heard about the practice while traveling by bus: “I was told in the bus that if I visit a friend here and a man sees me, once he fires a gun into the air, I instantly become his wife. Then they’ll come for me at my father’s house.”
During the recording, voices of women around her could be heard affirming the statement, multiplying her sense of disbelief and concern.
The video has since gone viral, prompting an outpouring of commentary from viewers who voiced confusion, alarm, and fascination at the alleged tradition.
See some reactions below:
Alobanifa: “assuming you have married you just decide to go and visit your parents at village and you don’t go with your husband you go alone. and such happen. what going to be next step ??.”
Tee zest: “some of wey they live for yoruba land they do am but some of their ladies don dey japa for husband house.”
Cutetroy: “🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 so they go about with ibon.”
atorise26: “You are playing with this civilization days.”
Ayoola Ganiyu620: “What if you are married before and the person didn’t know that you have married. After shooting the gun, what will now happen..”
Jesus wept 🥹: “So what if another day another man shot up again.”
gentle money: “I de come benue be that ooooo😂😂😂😂 I like u.”
Christiana_jegson: “😂😂 imagine for Lagos.”
The incident has sparked wider curiosity and concern about the implications of such a tradition—particularly issues around consent, gender roles, and safety of women visiting rural communities.
WATCH VIDEO:
@ulenusetv
Omo this lady no bad ooo
♬ original sound – ulenusetv