Police Rescue Boy Allegedly Locked in Van Since 2024 in France

A shocking case of alleged child abuse in France has emerged after a nine-year-old boy was rescued from a van where he had reportedly been confined for over a year by his father in the village of Hagenbach.

The disturbing discovery was made after a concerned neighbour alerted police to strange noises coming from a parked vehicle. When officers forced the van open, they found the child in extremely poor condition—lying in a foetal position, unclothed, covered with a blanket, and surrounded by rubbish and human waste, according to prosecutor Nicolas Heitz.

Authorities say the boy was severely malnourished and unable to walk, likely due to prolonged confinement in a restricted position. He reportedly told officers he had not bathed since 2024, highlighting the extent of the neglect.

Investigators believe the child had been held in the van since November 2024. He was immediately taken to hospital and is currently receiving urgent medical and psychological care, with officials confirming his condition has stabilized.

The boy’s father has been arrested and is facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and child neglect. During interrogation, he claimed he kept the child in the van to “protect him,” alleging his partner wanted the boy placed in a psychiatric facility.

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However, prosecutors have firmly rejected this explanation, stating there is no medical evidence that the child had any psychiatric condition prior to his disappearance—raising serious doubts about the father’s claims.

The case was further concealed through deliberate misinformation. Family members and acquaintances were reportedly told the boy had been admitted to a psychiatric institution, while his school was informed he had transferred elsewhere—allowing the situation to remain hidden for over a year.

The father’s partner has also been charged with failure to assist a minor in danger, although she denies knowledge of the confinement. She has been released under judicial supervision.

Meanwhile, two other children linked to the household—a 12-year-old girl and a 10-year-old—have been placed in the care of social services as a precaution.

The case has sparked outrage across France and raised serious concerns about child protection systems, school oversight, and social services gaps, as authorities investigate how such prolonged abuse went undetected.

Officials say investigations are ongoing, including whether others may have been aware of the situation and failed to act.

Police Rescue Boy Allegedly Locked in Van Since 2024 in France

JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria

The Federal Government has released a list of 48 individuals and organisations alleged to be involved in terrorism financing in Nigeria, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to disrupt funding networks linked to insecurity across the country.

The list was published on Saturday by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC), the inter-agency body responsible for enforcing financial sanctions in line with Nigeria’s counter-terrorism financing (CTF) and anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks.

According to the committee, the designated individuals and entities are suspected of providing financial, logistical, or operational support to terrorist organisations operating in parts of the country, particularly in the North-East and other security-affected regions.

The list reportedly includes individuals connected to proscribed organisations such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Ansaru, and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Among those named are Tukur Mamu, Simon Ekpa, Abdulsamad Ohida, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Itare, Francis Nmaduabuchi, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, and others listed in the official document.

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Security and financial intelligence sources said the designation is part of strengthened efforts to enforce targeted financial sanctions against terrorism sponsors, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under international security and financial monitoring standards. The sanctions framework allows authorities to impose measures such as asset freezes, restrictions on financial transactions, and travel limitations on individuals and organisations identified as being involved in terrorism financing activities.

Officials said the move is aimed at cutting off funding channels that support insurgent groups and separatist-linked violence in affected parts of the country. The Nigeria Sanctions Committee explained that the publication of the list is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security by targeting the financial infrastructure behind terrorism.

It added that identifying and sanctioning individuals linked to terrorist financing is crucial to weakening the operational capacity of groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces. Authorities also stressed that the listings are part of ongoing investigations and do not replace judicial proceedings, noting that further legal and enforcement actions may follow where evidence is established.

The development comes amid intensified military operations against insurgent groups across the country, as well as increased coordination between security agencies and financial regulators to monitor suspicious transactions and disrupt illicit funding flows.

Officials reiterated that combating terrorism requires both military action and sustained efforts to dismantle the financial networks supporting terrorism in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has not issued additional details beyond the published list, while reactions are expected from some of the individuals and organisations named.

JUST IN: FG Publishes List of 48 Individuals, Groups Linked to Terrorism Financing in Nigeria

42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man

A 42-year-old woman declared missing in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has been found in a hotel room in Ugbe-Akoko, sparking widespread reactions and renewed concerns over the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

The woman reportedly left her matrimonial home in Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area without informing her husband or family members, prompting fears that she had been abducted or harmed.

Her husband was said to have raised the alarm after repeated attempts to reach her failed, leading to concern among relatives and residents of the community. The development triggered a search effort as anxiety grew over her whereabouts.

According to sources familiar with the case, the woman was later traced to Ugbe-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area, located about 124 kilometres from Ilara-Mokin. The journey between both locations typically takes over two hours by road.

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She was reportedly discovered in a hotel in the area in the company of a 55-year-old man. Both individuals were taken in for questioning by relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding their presence at the location.

Preliminary findings suggest that the woman may not have been abducted as initially feared but might have left home voluntarily without informing her family. However, officials are still working to establish the full details surrounding her movement and activities before she was found.

The incident has generated mixed reactions among residents of both communities, with many expressing shock, confusion, and concern over the circumstances that led to her disappearance and eventual discovery in a hotel.

Security agencies are continuing investigations to determine whether any offence was committed and to clarify the nature of the relationship between the woman and the man found with her.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from law enforcement authorities, while the case continues to attract attention across Ondo State.

42-Year-Old Married Woman Declared Missing Found in Hotel with Man