Police in Zaria, Kaduna State have arrested two siblings for burying a 16- year -old boy alive over a missing phone.
The horrific incident, which went viral on social media and elicited public outrage and condemnation, drew the attention of the authorities in the state which led to the arrest of the perpetrators, who are said to be brothers.
The unusual incident occurred in Gauraki commuinity of Kufaina Ward, in Zaria Local Government Area of the State, where the 16- year-old male victim, Abubakar, was buried alive after being accused of stealing a mobile phone by his cousins.
The State Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Salisu, said the incident was quite shocking and disturbing, stressing that the suspects would not go unpunished.
According to her, “I’ve never seen someone buried alive apart from what I see in films. This boy, Abubakar, a 16-year-old, was buried by his brothers because of missing phone.
“They dug a hole, tied his hands backwards and sealed his mouth. They buried him, leaving only his head outside covered with rags inside an abandoned property near a farm. It was a good samaritan who heard the boy coughing that raise the alarm which attracted other farmers that rescued the boy, as contained in the video, which went viral on social media.
“The culprits are a 22-year-old and his brother, an 18-year -old were arrested by the police. We will be going to court after their investigation. The government would not take it lightly, in the protection of children’s rights and others whose rights are violated in Kaduna State”, the Commissioner assured.
She added that the victim Abubakar Aliyu, survived the ordeal and as since been rescued. The suspect identified as Yahaya Abdulkarim (20) and Abdul Abdulkadir (17), who are cousins of the victim, have been arrested by the police.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Mansir Hassan confirmed the incident assured that the culprits were cooling off their feet in police detention.
He said the an investigation over the incident was in progress, adding that the culprits were brothers who were entangled in misunderstanding due to a missing phone in Abuja where they were working.
-9News Nigeria.
