Kebbi State Government doesn’t take this issue lightly, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu is not handling it with the kid gloves, no stone is left untouched and no area as far as this case is concerned is left un-attended to.

The entire world is curious to be updated, the maltreated child is a Nigerian, Kebbian and an indigene of Birnin Kebbi Local Government but now loved by the entire world. First and foremost, let me start with:

His Health- According to Dr. Aminu Haliru Bunza, consultant, Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Director Sir Yahaya Memorial Specialist Hospital Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state. The maltreated child is responding to treatment, he is making steady progress both medically and psychologically.

Dr. Aminu Haliru said that Sir Yahaya Memorial Specialist Hospital has the capacity and enough competent doctors to handle the issue to its logical conclusion. To quote him verbatim he said:

‘We have forty (40) consultants with enough supporting and ancillary staff. Moreover, a renowned medical doctor who is globally known and respected in the person of Professor Hamid Ahmed is our visiting consultant Paediatrician has since attended to the child.

It may interest you to know that Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has taken full financial responsibility for the treatment. In summary, we have capacity, facilities and government funding and support.’ He concluded.

Police Update: – Summarily, Kebbi state Commissioner of Police: CP, Agunbiade Oluyemi Lasore, said as follows in his office:
‘On the 9th of August, 2020, at about 14:40 pm that is 2:40 pm his officers swiftly arrested the father of the victim Malam Aliyu Badariya after receiving the tip – off and took the victim Jibril Aliyu to Sir Yahaya Memorial Specialist Hospital for treatment.

According to police findings, the victim has been suffering from cerebral palsy which as a result placed the father in financial difficulties. He took the child to many native doctors to the point of selling some of his properties. Consequently, the child was tied in the stall of animals and chickens. He stayed there for two years without food and care. According to the father, the rational behind his action was to prevent the child from theft or running away which might lead to his untimely death. Jibril Aliyu lost his biological mother two years ago.

CP Agunbiade Oluyemi added that Jibril Aliyu is being taken care of by the Chief Medical Director and will be under his care for at least five (5) months.

He finally said that the father has been charged to court and will reappear on the 26th August, 2020.

Legal Aspect of The Case – Those calling for stiffer penalty have rights to express their opinions and displeasure. But Kebbi state Government has already done the needful where the suspect appeared before Chief Magistrate Court I on 12/08/2020 and is remanded in Correctional Centre till on 26th August, 2020 to reappear for further hearing.

Social Aspect – At the order of His Excellency Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for the improvement of awareness and instilling modern social work ethics amongst the Directors of social at the local government levels and all stakeholders in the social department The commissioner Ministry For Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs Honourable Hassan Muhammad Shalla passed a message to all Local government chairmen and had a meeting with all stakeholders. Those in attendance were Secretary to the State Government Alh. Babale Umar Yauri , all Chairmen and Directors of Social Welfare of 21 Local Governments in the state, Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Information Alh. Mahmud Muhammad Wara, Permanent Secretary Ministry For women Affairs Hajia Aishatu Maikurata, Special Adviser Women Affairs, Hajia Zara’u Wali among others

At the end of their one day interaction, they proposed more training in line with the modern challenges, creation of public enlightenment to carry everybody along and more funding. He finally advised them to be more proactive so as to nip this kind of ugly occurrence the bud.

On the other side of the same coin, the Executive Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Honourable Aminu S/Fada added that he went with his council to the house of Malam Aliyu Badariya, the father of Jibril, he had one-on-one discussion with his neighbour in search for information which would be used in the court of law to serve as deterrent to others. The local government entourage also visited the boy at the hospital.
At the local government level, however, everything will be done to help Jibril to bounce back upon his feet.

Aliyu Bandado Argungu
Coordinator/Senior Special Assistant (New Media)
To the Governor of Kebbi State