A 7-year-old boy has been rescued from the hands of his father and stepmother in Kaduna State after suffering brutal punishment for allegedly stealing a ₦70 biscuit from their shop. The shocking case, which surfaced over the weekend, has ignited widespread outrage and renewed calls for stricter child protection laws across Nigeria.
Officials of the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development (MHSSD) confirmed the intervention, stating that the boy was found with multiple signs of physical abuse. According to Channels Television, the child had been tied up and beaten mercilessly by both guardians for what they described as “habitual theft.”
Neighbours in the community reportedly tipped off authorities after hearing repeated cries from the home located in the Rigasa area of Igabi Local Government. Upon arrival, officials were horrified to find the child visibly malnourished, wounded, and emotionally distraught. Immediate medical attention was administered, and he was placed in protective custody under the care of social workers.
Kaduna State Commissioner Hafsat Baba expressed disgust at the cruelty, warning that the state would pursue criminal charges against the perpetrators. “This is not discipline. This is a grave violation of the Child Rights Act. No parent has the right to inflict this level of harm over a ₦70 item,” she said during a press briefing on April 22, 2025.
The boy’s father and stepmother are currently in police custody as investigations continue. The Kaduna Police Command revealed that both suspects admitted to the act, defending their actions as a form of corrective discipline. However, the state authorities insist they will be charged under sections of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, among other child protection laws.
Child rights advocates are calling for the case to serve as a turning point. According to UNICEF, over 50% of Nigerian children experience violent discipline at home, often under the guise of correction. Legal activist Hauwa Liman stated, “Until people start going to jail for abusing children, we’ll keep seeing this horror play out in our communities.”
The rescued child, now under rehabilitation, has reportedly begun to show signs of recovery. Welfare officers say he will be relocated to a safe environment pending the outcome of legal proceedings against his guardians. Meanwhile, the Ministry has urged members of the public to report any suspicious child abuse cases via the emergency hotline: 0700-123-4567.
