By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times

Two parents in ’Yar Liya’u community, Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State, have been thrown into mourning after their two young children were allegedly killed while out herding goats.

The victims, identified as Nura Abdulrashid, 8, and Safiyya, 10, were reported missing after leaving home to herd goats but failed to return.

Their bodies were reportedly discovered in separate locations on Sunday, September 6, 2026, following a search by residents of the community.

Nura’s father, Abdulrashid Suleman, told Katsina Times that he left home in the morning to go to his farm and that Nura briefly followed him before returning home.

He said that when he returned in the evening, he asked about his son and was informed that Nura had gone out to herd goats with Safiyya.

“The goats returned, but the children did not. I went to the police station in Kurfi and reported that the children had gone out herding since morning but had not returned,” he said.

According to him, residents subsequently launched a search for the children and later discovered Nura’s body in a bush.

He added that Safiyya’s body was subsequently found in another location.

The deaths have sparked fear and concern among residents, with the families calling on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and identify those responsible.

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Aminu Ibrahim, who became Safiyya’s guardian following the death of her father, said residents were yet to establish who was responsible for the killings.

He urged the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found responsible was brought to justice.

Nura’s mother, Ladidi, also expressed grief over the incident and appealed to the government and human rights organisations to support efforts to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.

Community elders and religious leaders in ’Yar Liya’u similarly called on security agencies to intensify the investigation.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the two goats the children were herding were later found in the possession of a driver.

The driver reportedly told residents that a passenger stopped him and handed the goats to him to transport to a market.

According to the driver, the passenger fled after his vehicle developed a mechanical fault. He reportedly said he did not know the man and had never seen him before.

Security personnel have visited the community and gathered information from residents as part of the investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, no suspect has been publicly identified, and authorities have not disclosed the motive behind the killings.