KIYAWA, Nigeria — Authorities in Jigawa State have launched a manhunt after the body of a three-year-old girl was discovered in a bush, showing signs of rape and fatal assault, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed Wednesday that the child, identified as Harira Yakubu Bala, was found lifeless in Kiyawa Local Government Area after being reported missing by her parents the previous day.
According to NSCDC spokesperson ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud, the body was located in a remote area near Sabon Gari with multiple injuries. Medical examination later confirmed the child had been raped and murdered by unknown assailants.
NSCDC personnel from the Kiyawa Divisional Office responded swiftly to the distress call, securing the scene and transporting the body to a local hospital for forensic analysis. The remains were later released to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
State Commandant CC Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa has ordered the Intelligence and Investigation Department to work with other security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the crime.
“This is a deeply disturbing and inhumane act,” Ingawa said. “We will not rest until justice is served.”
The NSCDC condemned the killing and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, especially children and vulnerable members of society. Officials urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to nearby security formations.
The murder has reignited concerns about child safety and law enforcement capacity in rural communities, with activists demanding stronger preventive measures and faster prosecution of sexual violence cases.
No arrests have been made as of Friday, and the investigation remains ongoing.
