Epileptic boy saved after being tethered with animals for two years

 He was allegedly found living in a ramshackle shed among goats and chickens while his family lived in comfort, before being rescued.

A little boy was allegedly found living among goats and chickens in a ramshackle animal shed - while his dad, two-step mothers and 17 siblings lived in comfort. Jibril Aliyu, said to be 10-years-old, from the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, was reportedly chained to a wooden pillar and left to eat the remnants of goat feed and his faeces for two years. He was rescued by human rights lawyers after a tip-off, reports the BBC. Lead rescuer Hamza Attahiru said the boy's family were living inside the house while he lived in squalor outside - with his mum said to have died two years ago. Jibril is currently in intensive care at the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi and his dad and stepmothers are said to have been arrested.

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DSP Nafi'u Abubakar, a spokesman for the rescue team, said the arrests were made after the boy was discovered on Sunday. An adult brother of Jibril said he had epilepsy and was chained to the post during daylight hours to prevent him going missing, reports Sun Nigeria. The elder sibling insisted he had sold his own house and car so that the family could afford Jibrin's epilepsy treatment.

 Jibril after his rescue. Photo: Kebbi State Police.

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Governor of Kebbi state Abubakar Bagudu has ordered a full investigation into the circumstances. Video of the human rights team and police rescuing Jibrin has gone viral on social media. In footage and photos taken at the scene, Jibril looks extremely gaunt and naked except for a tatty orange top. Though in one snap taken in the hospital, he is seen smiling.