For burying a newborn baby alive, a 20-year-old mother, Maryam Atiku, has been arrested by the Kebbi State Police Command.
According to a press release signed on Wednesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the incident occurred on June 25, 2025, around 8:00 p.m, after Maryam delivered her baby, tied the newborn with three pieces of wrappers around her neck, covered her mouth, and buried her in a shallow hole at a bush called Malam Yaro.
The baby girl was rescued the following day, June 26, 2025, at about 12:30 p.m, by a farmer, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, who discovered the site of the fresh grave.
He raised an alarm, and nearby residents assisted in exhuming the newborn alive before rushing her to the General Hospital, Kamba, where she was certified stable.
Newborn baby’s mother ‘confesses’
Upon receiving the report, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Birnin Kebbi, swiftly launched an investigation and apprehended the baby’s mother who is from Nasarawa area Kamba, Dandi LGA of Kebbi State.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed to committing the act.
The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello Sani, reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, and all forms of gender-based violence in the state.
He urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to safeguard the welfare of children under their care and to resist compromising their future for reasons such as poverty or other pressures.
Government support and prosecution
The police commended the wife of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Her Excellency, Hajia Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, for her support in ensuring the rescued baby receives proper care.
The custodian of the newborn baby, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, was also praised for his swift intervention.
The suspect has since been arraigned in court following a diligent investigation and will face prosecution aimed at serving as a deterrent to others.
