In a shocking incident in Zaria, Kaduna State, a 16-year-old boy named Abubakar was buried alive by his two siblings over a dispute involving a missing phone.
The brothers, aged 22 and 18, were arrested by the police after a good Samaritan discovered Abubakar’s head protruding from a hole in an abandoned property.
Eyewitnesses reported that the siblings had a heated argument over a missing phone while working in Abuja. The brothers later tracked Abubakar back to Zaria, where they decided to bury him alive as a form of torture.
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Rabi Salisu, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. “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. The boy, Abubakar, a 16-year-old, was buried by his brothers because of a missing phone,” Salisu stated.
She added, “They dug a hole, tied his hands backward, and sealed his mouth. They buried him, leaving only his head outside covered with rags inside an abandoned property near a farm. A good Samaritan heard the boy coughing and raised the alarm, which attracted other farmers who rescued him.”
The suspects, aged 22 and 18, have confessed to committing the crime and are currently in police custody. The Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, Mansir Hassan, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that the suspects will be charged in court soon.
In response to the incident, the state Ministry of Human Services and Social Development has taken swift action. The ministry’s statement, attributed to Commissioner Salisu, emphasized that Abubakar Aliyu survived the ordeal and has been rescued. The ministry is closely monitoring the case to ensure that justice is served.
“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,” the statement added.
