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•Newborn baby girl buried alive in Kebbi survives
From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Twenty-year-old Maryam, a member of a community in Dandi Local Government, Kebbi State, is in the news for the wrong reasons. She gave birth to a baby girl but buried her alive just to escape from the stigma and economic burden of having a child outside wedlock.
But as fate would have it, what she executed as top secret sneaked into the public space. Not only was the baby rescued alive, healthy and bouncing, her horrific conduct, for which she was been arrested, has been exposed.
Kebbi State Police Command said: “We are pleased to report that the command has expedited action. The suspect, Maryam, has now been officially arrested, placed under investigation and interrogation, and is facing arraignment before a competent jurisdictional court of law.
“On June 25, 2025, at about 2000hrs, one Maryam, aged 20 years, of Nasarawa area, Kamba, Dandi LG, Kebbi State, delivered a 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 June 26, 2025, at about 1230hrs, one Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad went to his farm located around Malam Yaro village. While in the farm, he observed a disturbed patch of soil resembling a fresh grave.
“As a result, he raised an alarm which attracted the 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, swung into action and succeeded in arresting the suspect. During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime.
“Commissioner of Police, Bello 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.”
Secretary, Technical Working Group (TWG) on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Nasiru Idris, collaborated the story insisting that the baby was destined to live. He said the incident has generated a lot of sympathy, empathy and a deep sense of urgency.
He said: “On June 29, 2025, the TWG on GBV delegation led by Hajiya Rafa’atu Hammani paid a courtesy visit to the rescuer, Kabiru, to express our heartfelt gratitude for his heroic act, offer support and solidarity to his family.
“TWG presented essential items such as baby clothes, diapers, soap, detergents, powdered milk, a baby bed, mosquito net and a mattress to the family. The family joyfully accepted the baby into their home, with Kabiru and his wife pledging to raise her as their own.
“A naming ceremony was held on July 2, 2025, in a well-attended event. The rescued baby was officially named Hafsat Kabir at the residence of her adoptive father, Kabiru Sinkin Kamba.
“Governor’s wife, represented by Hajiya Rafa’atu Hammani and others donated cash and baby essentials to support Hafsat’s care, with additional support on July 4, 2025, where they donated food items, clothing, cash, and other necessities.”
