The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old woman named Maryam Atiku for allegedly burying her newborn baby girl alive in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The chilling incident occurred on June 25, 2025, shortly after Maryam gave birth.
According to the police, Maryam tied the baby’s neck with three pieces of wrapper, covered her mouth to prevent crying, and transported her to a bush near Malam Yaro village.
There she dug a shallow grave and buried the baby alive, an act described as inhuman and unacceptable by the Kebbi Police Commissioner, Bello Sani.
The newborn was miraculously rescued on June 26 by a vigilant farmer, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, who noticed a suspicious patch of freshly disturbed soil while working on his farm.
Sensing something was amiss, the farmer alerted nearby residents who assisted in exhuming the baby. Fortunately, the infant was alive and was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Kamba, where doctors confirmed she was in stable condition after receiving medical care.
Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department promptly launched an investigation following the rescue and arrested Maryam. During preliminary interrogation, she confessed to the crime.
The police have announced that she will face prosecution in court, with the aim to serve as a deterrent to similar violations.
Commissioner Bello Sani condemned the act and reiterated the state police’s zero-tolerance policy on child abuse, exploitation, and gender-based violence. He appealed to parents, guardians, and community leaders to uphold their moral and religious responsibilities to protect children, emphasizing that poverty or hardship should never justify inhumane actions against children.
The police also commended the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris, for her support toward the welfare of the rescued baby, as well as the bravery of Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad for his timely intervention that saved the infant’s life.
This rare rescue highlights the need for continued vigilance and community responsibility in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
