Get Guardian on GoogleA farmer in Kebbi State, Kabiru Kamba, has recounted how he rescued a newborn baby girl buried alive in his farmland in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area.
Kamba narrated the incident on Monday during a visit by the Kebbi State Gender-Based Violence Technical Working Group, led by a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Rafa’atu Hammani.
Speaking at his residence, the farmer said the discovery was made on Friday when he noticed an unusual ridge on his farm.
“Out of curiosity, I flagged down some motorcyclists to help dig,” Kamba said. “While digging, we found a wrapper buried in the soil, which raised my suspicion. I immediately informed the police at a nearby checkpoint, who came and dug further. They discovered a baby girl, miraculously alive and crying, wrapped in a piece of cloth.”
Kamba said he took custody of the child out of compassion and requested to care for her pending the outcome of the police investigation.
“It’s only normal to help in such situations. I didn’t expect anything in return; it’s simply a humanitarian act,” he said. “Coincidentally, my wife had just given birth, so breastfeeding the baby has not been a challenge.”
He added that plans were underway to hold a naming ceremony for the baby on Wednesday, saying, “I have already bought a ram and other items needed for the event.”
Kamba’s wife also expressed joy at the development, saying, “I felt perfectly fine and happy when my husband told me. I will take care of her just the way I would my own.”
Responding during the visit, Hammani said the group would brief the Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Zainab-Nasare Idris, for further action.
The Secretary of the Technical Working Group, Alhaji Nasiru Idris, said the visit was to express concern over the incident, offer prayers of gratitude for the baby’s survival, and commend the farmer’s intervention. He also acknowledged the role of the police in launching an investigation to identify those responsible.
The visiting team presented items including baby clothes, soap, diapers, a mattress, a mosquito net, powdered milk, and a baby bed.
