Aliu
By Publisher
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Abubakar Aliu, a 16-year-old boy, could be said to have returned from the grave in a very shocking incident in Kaduna where his cousin buried him alive for allegedly stealing his phone in Abuja.
Aliu was lucky to have survived his horrific ordeal thanks to a good Samaritan, who discovered his head protruding from a hole in an abandoned property in the Gauraki community, Kufaina Ward of Zaria Local Government Area.
The two suspects, identified as Yahaya Abdulkadir and Abdul Abdulkadir, aged 22 and 18, respectively have been arrested by the police.
According to Hajiya Rabi Salisu, Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development in Kaduna State: “The boy was tied up, and his mouth was sealed. He was buried in a hole, leaving only his head outside.
“I’ve never seen someone buried alive apart from in film. This boy, Abubakar, a 16-year-old was buried by his brothers because of a missing phone.
“They dug a hole, tied his hands backwards and sealed his mouth. They buried him, leaving only his head outside covered with rags inside an abandoned property near a farm.
“It was a good Samaritan, who heard the boy coughing that raised the alarm which attracted other farmers that rescued the boy, as contained in the video which went viral in social media.
“The culprits were a 22-year-old and his brother, an 18-year-old who was arrested by the police. We would be going to court after their investigation.
“The Government would not take it lightly,in the protection of children’s rights and others whose rights are violated in Kaduna State,” Rabi told the BBC Hausa Service.
Speaking in video on the Nigerian Television, NTA, the victim, Aliu traced his near-death experience to the disagreement that started in Abuja where he was accused of stealing his cousin’s phone while they were working together as labourers, which got worse when his cousin lured him to Zaria under the pretence of a job opportunity.
Unfortunately, when they arrived in Zaria.
“They beat me and tied me up until I lost consciousness before they buried me alive in an uncompleted building a few meters away from our family house. They removed all my clothes but my short knicker and told me that they will cover my head too when they come back,” he narrated.
Mansir Hassan, spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, who confirmed the incident, said the culprits have since confessed to committing the crime.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, credited to the Commissioner, read: “The victim, Abubakar Aliyu, survived the ordeal and has since been rescued suspects, who are cousins of the victim, have been arrested by the police.
“The Social Officer in charge of Zaria visited the community where the incident occurred to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“The Ministry has assured the public that justice will be served and that they will continue to monitor the case closely.
“The Kaduna State Government has condemned the act in the strongest terms and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of all citizens, especially children.”
