A woman has allegedly tied up a 10-year-old orphan, Jibril Aliyu, for two years without enough food in Kebbi State.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the boy was allegedly subjected to inhuman treatment by his step-mother, two years after the death of his mother.
A video had surfaced online in the early hours of Monday, showing a teenager who is believed to be around 10 years of age looking emaciated and unable stand erect as a result of suspected long impoverishment by his alleged persecutor.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the culprit had been arrested while the boy had been admitted to the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Another amateur video, which was allegedly taken at a police station in the state, also showed the suspect speaking to policemen, denying having tied the teenager up without food.
According to a Facebook user, Maryam Shetty, who also posted the video on her timeline, the boy has lost his mother a few years back, adding the his alleged guardian subjected him to eating from remnants of food and animals’ dung.
Ms Shetty condemned the woman for allegedly showing no remorse, describing her as evil.
She said: “Videos of an evil remorseless woman from Kebbi State that tied up an orphan who lost his mum for 2 whole years like a goat! He is impoverished and only ate from remnants of food and animal’s dung. Such cruelty….”
When contacted, the spokesman for Kebbi Police Command, confirmed the arrest of the suspect, saying the woman was in police custody.
According to him, when investigations are concluded, the suspect would be arraigned before in court.
Governor Atiku Bagudu has ordered an investigation into an alleged maltreatment of a 10-year-old boy by his step-mother in the state.
The governor’s Coordinator/Senior Special Assistant (New Media), Aliyu Argungu, in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.
He said: “In a swift reaction to the discovery of a maltreated 10 year old boy in Badariya area Birnin Kebbi township, His Excellency Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has ordered for an immediate investigation into the whole matter (of inhuman treatment of the boy).”
“This will excavate the causes and the failures of those whose duty is to protect both children and adults.
“Moreover, the social welfare officials of the entire Local Governments across the state will be quizzed and investigated. This will serve as a wake up notice to other sectors (across the state).
“The Honourable Commissioner Ministry For Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs Rt. Hon. Hassan Muhammad Shalla Gwandu along with Special Adviser Women Affairs Hajia Zara’u Wali, ALGON Chairman Barr. Shehu Marshal and Chairman Birnin Kebbi Local Government Hon. Aminu S/Fada have been mandated with the task.
“His Excellency expressed great sadness and worry that young Jibril was failed not only by his parents, but by neighbours and the entire system.
“He thus called on all the members of the society to be more vigilant and be their neighbours keepers. Finally, social welfare officers are advised to take their work more serious,” the statement noted.
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