It was a mixed feeling of tear and joy for residents of Kabiru Kamba, in Kebbi State after a newborn baby girl was exhumed after she was buried alive.
The shocking discovery was made by a farmer, Kabiru Kamba on his farmland in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area.
NATIONAL POST reports that the baby has been nicknamed Miracle Baby for surviving the near death treatment.
Nobody knows how long the child has been buried before the discovery.
On Monday, Kamba received a delegation from the Kebbi State Gender-Based Violence Technical Working Group, where he recounted the experience.
The delegation was led by former Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Rafa’atu Hammani.
The farmer explained that the discovery was made on Friday when he noticed an unusual mound on his land and decided to investigate.
“I was curious about the ridge, so I stopped some motorcyclists and asked them to help dig.
“We uncovered a piece of cloth, and I immediately alerted nearby police officers. They arrived and dug further, only to find a baby girl, miraculously still alive and crying, wrapped in fabric and buried in the soil," he said.
Kamba said he offered to care for the baby out of compassion and has since taken responsibility for her well-being.
“It was purely a humanitarian decision. My wife had just given birth, so breastfeeding the child has not been a challenge,” he added, noting that a naming ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday, with preparations already underway.
His wife also expressed joy at the unexpected addition to their family, saying she was committed to raising the baby as her own.
During the visit, Hajiya Hammani commended the farmer for his swift action and assured that the team would brief the wife of the Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Idris, for further intervention.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Technical Working Group, Alhaji Nasiru Idris, lauded the farmer’s courage and offered prayers for the child’s continued survival.
He confirmed that police had launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the incident.
The delegation presented relief materials, including baby clothes, powdered milk, diapers, soap, a mattress, a mosquito net, and a baby bed, to support the family.
Meanwhile, residents have continued to rain curses on those behind the evil act.
A mother from the community, who could not hold back tears, said it would never be well with all those who partook in the evil act.
"Why show such cruelty to a child that God gave you. You carried a child in your womb for nine months and upon delivery, you had to show her such cruelty.
"Imagine burying the child alive; imagine how she struggled. This is why we are calling her miracle baby because only God made it possible for the baby to still be alive.
"All those who played any role in this gruesome act will never see good. They will suffer the consequences of their actions till eternity," she said amid tears.