The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old woman, Maryam Atiku, for allegedly burying her newborn baby girl alive in Dandi Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. He said Maryam, a resident of the Nasarawa area in Kamba, gave birth to the baby on June 25, 2025, around 8 p.m.
According to the police, Maryam allegedly tied the baby’s neck with three pieces of wrapper, covered her mouth, and took her to a bush near Malam Yaro village, where she dug a shallow grave and buried the baby alive.
Luck, however, came for the baby the next day when a farmer, Kabiru Muhammad, working on his farm around 12:30 p.m., noticed a freshly dug patch of soil.
Muhammad raised the alarm, and nearby residents rushed to the spot, exhumed the baby, and found her still alive. She was taken to the General Hospital in Kamba, where doctors confirmed she was in stable condition after receiving urgent medical care.
Abubakar said detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department in Birnin Kebbi immediately opened an investigation and arrested the suspect. During questioning, Maryam confessed to committing the act.
The Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, condemned the incident, describing it as a shocking act of cruelty.
“The command has zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation, and any form of gender-based violence,” Sani said. “We will ensure that justice is served.”
He urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to protect children and never let poverty or other challenges push them into harming innocent lives.
