The Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs has rescued a 19-month-old boy identified as Musa from alleged abuse and neglect in the Tsamiya Babba area of the state.
The intervention followed complaints from residents who accused the child’s foster mother of maltreating him despite reportedly obtaining legal custody through the Nassarawa Children’s Home.
Preliminary findings by the ministry revealed that the toddler was severely malnourished and allegedly locked indoors alone for long periods.
Residents of the area also claimed that the child was repeatedly abandoned in unsafe conditions, raising concerns about his welfare and safety.
Following the reports, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Amina Abdullahi, directed an immediate investigation into the matter.
The probe was led by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Muhammad Sambo Iliyasu, who coordinated efforts to verify the allegations against the foster mother.
Investigators identified the suspect as Aisha Shuaibu, who reportedly admitted leaving the child unattended on three occasions.
However, officials said she could not provide satisfactory explanations for several scars discovered on the boy’s body during the investigation.
The ministry subsequently transferred the case to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigation, while the suspect remains in custody.
Condemning the alleged abuse, the commissioner warned that the ministry would strengthen monitoring and supervision of foster homes across the state to protect vulnerable children from neglect and exploitation.