The Kaduna state government through the state Ministry of Human Services and Social Development has rescued a seven-years-old boy, Abubakar Sani from his abusive father in Lere Local Government Area of the state.
The boy’s two legs, our correspondent reports, were tied up by his father who poured hot water on his legs for allegedly stealing biscuits.
The commissioner in the ministry, Hajiya Rabi Salisu while speaking to newsmen when she visited the victim who is recuperating at the Barau Dikko Teaching hospital disclosed that after medical examination, the only option to save the boy’s life was to amputate his legs.
According to her, “The on the boy report came to the ministry about nine days ago and by them, his legs had already rotted and had maggots coming out, so the advice from the doctors was amputation to save his life.
“It is so disheartening knowing the pain and trauma the child must have passed through and as if that was not enough, the father with the help of his wife, the boy’s stepmother, locked him up in a room for over 20 days in that condition without proper food.”
She further disclosed that the police have apprehended the father, identified as Sani Tanimi Maishago and his culprit, the stepmother of the child.
She noted that after the police have completed their investigation, they will be charged to court and promised to keep the members of the public updated.
She reiterated that the state government, through its Child Protection Law, is determined to defend the rights of all children because the social wellbeing of the child is the state’s paramount goal.
She emphasised that the state has zero tolerance for child molestation, domestic violence, rape and abuse of all sought on women and children is not taken lightly in the state adding, “We will make sure that justice is served to serve as a deterrent to others. I also want to warn parents that they do not have the right to cause such harm to their children as the government also has rights over that child.”
The CMD, Barau Dikko Teaching hospital, Kaduna State University, Dr. Abdulkadir Musa, while speaking on the future implications on the child said both legs have been amputated below the knee, meaning the boy will be crippled for life.
He said in future, perhaps the only thing that can be done to ease his survival is by equipping him with artificial limbs.
He counseled parents to know their limits when it comes to punishing their children and advised them to exercise caution and perseverance to avoid irreversible consequences.