The Kaduna State Government said it has rescued a seven-year-old boy, Abubakar Sani, from his abusive father, who allegedly tied his legs and poured hot water on them as punishment for stealing biscuits.
A statement by Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development Rabi Salisu said the horrific incident occurred in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“The report on the boy came to the ministry about nine days ago, and by then, his legs had already rotted and had maggots coming out, so the advice from the doctors was amputation to save his life,” she said.
The commissioner revealed that the father, Sani Tanimi Maishago, and his wife, the boy’s stepmother, locked Abubakar up in a room for over 20 days without proper food, adding that the police in the state have apprehended the father and stepmother, and “they will face charges in court once the investigation is complete.”;
“We will make sure that justice is served as a deterrent to others,”; she said.
She counselled parents to exercise caution and perseverance when punishing their children, warning that “irreversible consequences”; can result from excessive punishment.
Meanwhile, the state government has reiterated its commitment to defending children’s rights, with Salisu emphasising that “the social wellbeing of the child is the state’s paramount goal.”;
She added that the government would continue to work towards ensuring that justice was served and that children were protected from abuse and exploitation in the state.
