THE disappearance of a 10-year-old girl in Sepanggar since July 13 ended in tragedy after her body was found at a bushy slope near a house under construction in Kampung Numbak.
The victim, identified as Nurjilya Abdullah, was found in a decomposed state, prompting police to launch a murder investigation.
Following the discovery, Kota Kinabalu district police arrested two men, aged 39 and 42, to assist investigations into the case.
Acting Kota Kinabalu district police chief Superintendent Syed Lot Syed Abdul Rahman said a police team and forensic unit rushed to the scene after receiving information about the discovery at 10.38pm.
"Initial examinations at the scene by the forensic team found that the victim's body was already decomposed. The victim's identity was later confirmed by her mother based on the clothes she was wearing when she was reported missing," he said in a statement.
He said a post-mortem examination by a forensic medical specialist found that the cause of death was believed to be injuries to the victim's face and the back of her head, suspected to have been caused by blows from a hard and blunt object.
Acting on information gathered during investigations, police subsequently arrested the two men believed to be linked to the case.
"Both suspects will be brought before the court for a remand application to allow further investigations to continue.
"The motive behind the incident is still under investigation, and police are completing inquiries, including recording statements from witnesses and gathering relevant evidence," Syed Lot said.
Members of the public with information related to the case have been urged to contact investigating officer Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) La Paula Abd Muis at 013-5149490 or visit the nearest police station.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Nurjilya was previously reported missing after she left her family home in Kampung Numbak Bakau, Sepanggar, on July 13. Kota Kinabalu district police had earlier issued a missing person notice in an effort to locate her. - July 17, 2026
