Man noticed freshly dug sand on his farmland and started digging — his alarming discovery ended up saving a life
Having a sharp eye can often be rewarding. In rare cases, it can also save a life and have a life-changing impact on oneself. A farmer named Alhaji Kabiru Muhammed, who has a farm near Yaro village in Nasarawa, Dandi Local Government Area, Kebbi, recently had a similar experience, according to Vanguard's report on September 3. The man happened to observe something unusual on his farmland. It seemed like freshly dug mud. His curiosity pushed him to investigate, and he began digging through the space. To his astonishment, he discovered something terrifying, and his quick action helped save an innocent life.
In a post shared by Kengist on Facebook, it was revealed how the strange happening unfolded. The man was casually passing by his farmland when he noticed an unusual ridge had formed. “Out of curiosity, I waved down some motorcyclists passing by and asked them to help dig,” he recalled. A little while after continuous digging, they found a wrapper buried inside the soil. This caused Muhammed to get more suspicious. He was now certain that something had been hidden or illegally placed inside his farm. He quickly called the authorities, who dug deeper and eventually made an unbelievable find.
To everyone’s surprise, there was an infant buried in the mud, wrapped in fabric. She was surprisingly still alive and was frantically crying. The officers quickly rushed her to first aid and treatment, then carried out an investigation to identify and locate the mother. A 20-year-old woman named Mariyam Atiku was arrested for burying her child alive. She had reportedly delivered a day prior, TVC News reported. She then made a shallow grave, covered the baby’s mouth, and tied her with wrappers. It was the sharp observation of the farmer that saved the child in due time.
The infant received the necessary treatment and is now stable and recovering. Muhammed reportedly decided to take custody of the baby until further notice. "In situations like this, it’s only natural to help. I felt compelled to care for her and asked for custody," he said. The couple who claimed to have just delivered, too, were happy to take in another child and care for her as their own. "I wasn’t looking for any reward; this was purely a humanitarian decision. Coincidentally, my wife had just given birth, so breastfeeding the baby has not been an issue." His wife added, “I was happy when my husband told me. I’ll care for her just like my own child.”
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The authorities commended the farmer for his astute action after noticing something unusual. His intervention saved a life in the nick of time. His wife also received recognition for being kind and accepting the baby until the investigation was completed. Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello M. Sani, condemned the mother’s act and is sure to carry out a thorough investigation and file charges. He described her actions as “heinous and heartless” and criticized gender-based violence. He boldly noted that children should be protected and their welfare should be a primary focus in the community.