Twelve-year-old Jubril Aliyu, who was chained for two years by his father, Mallam Umar Aliyu, has been fully rehabilitated and released to his parents by the authorities of the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Jubril’s ordeal, it will be recalled, was reported to a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) on August 10, 2020, and the matter was promptly taken over by the state government from August 14.
Speaking to newsmen during the official handing over of the boy to his father, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Aminu Haliru Bunza, explained that the boy had been fully rehabilitated and fit to be reintegrated into the family.
“Today [Wednesday] is a remarkable day for us. The boy, Jubril, is being handed over to his family after staying with us for 15 months,” Dr Bunza said.
He said further that, “when he was brought in here, the boy was in pathetic situation.
“We give glory to Allah that we are able to rehabilitate him, took good care of his health, his nutrition, mental status and he was able to undergo a lot of investigation.
“Experts within and outside Nigeria in different fields from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan were brought in just to ensure that he is in good health. He is now fully rehabilitated.
“I want to announce to you here that apart from the medical support he will be given, the state government has also insured him under the Kebbi State Health Insurance Scheme (KESEMA), therefore, from today, whatever he needs till he reaches the age of maturity shall be provided by the state government,” Dr Bunza added.