crime

Marseille Ex-Officer Trial Exposes Shocking Abuse of Street Children

Published

1 year ago

August 30, 2025

Marseille ex-officer trial begins, revealing alleged sexual abuse of Filipino street children by a former police child protection officer

Marseille ex-officer trial begins Monday, drawing international attention over allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of street children.

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The case involves a 46-year-old former officer from the child protection unit, accused of targeting vulnerable children in France and the Philippines.

The ex-policeman has been in custody for four years. Authorities launched the investigation after a youth shelter reported that a 17-year-old rape victim received inappropriate late-night messages from the officer who was supposed to protect them.

In June 2021, prosecutors raided his home in Marseille and seized thousands of child pornography images. The investigation further revealed that the man traveled annually to Manila as head of the French branch of a charity supporting street children.

Two Filipino boys, aged 12 and 15, told authorities he paid small sums of money in exchange for sexual acts, both on a piece of wasteland and at his apartment.

“This was a Machiavellian scheme — an unprecedented modus operandi in which someone presents themselves as an ambassador for child protection,” said Celine Astolfe, lawyer for France’s Foundation for Childhood, a plaintiff in the trial. Four other child protection charities are also plaintiffs.

The criminal trial is taking place in Aix-en-Provence and is expected to conclude Thursday. The shocking nature of the allegations has already prompted calls for stricter oversight in child protection organizations.

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As the court proceedings unfold, the world watches closely, hoping justice will be served for the most vulnerable victims.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

12 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.