A Bauchi State couple, Muhammad Ibrahim and Fatima Abdulqadir, has cancelled their wedding ceremony just days before the scheduled date after discovering they are not genetically compatible.
The couple’s decision to call off the wedding was announced by Ibrahim in a Facebook post shared on November 21, 2024. The wedding was scheduled to take place on November 29, 2024.
“We recently discovered that we are both AS genotype carriers, which means there’s a high risk of having children with sickle cell disease. We didn’t know this until last month when we underwent tests at two separate hospitals to confirm the results,” Ibrahim wrote.
Ibrahim, a Zoology graduate from Bauchi State University, disclosed that the couple had been in a three-year relationship but had not prioritized genotype testing, assuming there would be no issues.
“We were so caught up in our love for each other that we didn’t think to check our genotypes. But now that we know, we have to make a difficult decision,” Ibrahim said.
The couple’s decision to call off the wedding has been met with mixed reactions from friends and family. While some have praised their decision as responsible and selfless, others have expressed disappointment and sadness.
“It’s a difficult decision, but we have to think about the future and the potential risks. We hope that our story will serve as a warning to others to prioritise genotype testing before marriage,” Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim’s Facebook post announcing the cancellation of the wedding has gone viral, with many people commenting and sharing their own experiences with genotype compatibility.
The incident has highlighted the importance of genotype testing before marriage, particularly in Nigeria where sickle cell disease is prevalent.
“It’s a wake-up call for all of us to prioritise genotype testing before marriage. It’s better to be safe than sorry,” said a friend of the couple, who wished to remain anonymous.
The couple’s decision to call off the wedding has sparked a national conversation about the importance of genotype testing and the need for greater awareness about sickle cell disease.
