From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old mother for burying her newborn baby girl alive in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area of the state.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command CSP Nafiu Abubakar confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, “On the 25th June, 2025, at about 2000hrs, one Maryam Atiku, female, aged 20 yrs, of Nasarawa area, Kamba, Dandi LGA of Kebbi State, delivered a newborn baby girl. Subsequently, the said Maryam tied her newborn baby with three pieces of wrappers around her neck, covered her mouth, conveyed the baby to Malam Yaro bush, dug a shallow hole, and buried the baby alive.
“Fortunately, on the 26th June, 2025, at about 1230hrs, one Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad went to his farm located around Malam Yaro village. While on the farm, he observed a disturbed patch of soil resembling a fresh grave. As a result, he raised an alarm which attracted nearby people who rushed and assisted him in exhuming the baby alive.
“They later evacuated the baby to General Hospital, Kamba, where she received medical attention and was certified stable.
“On receipt of the report, a team of detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Birnin Kebbi, swiftly swung into action and succeeded in arresting the suspect. During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, is using this medium to succinctly reiterate the Command’s zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, and all forms of gender-based violence in the state.
“The CP hereby calls on parents, guardians, and community leaders to fear Allah in safeguarding the children under their care by resisting compromising their future on the grounds of poverty or other factors.”
The command added that the CP equally appreciated the efforts of the wife of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Her Excellency, Hajia Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, for her support and magnanimity towards taking good care of the rescued newborn baby, as well as her custodian, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad.
“Upon completion of a diligent investigation, the suspect has been arraigned in court for prosecution with a view to serving as a deterrent to would-be criminals,” the police said.
