Category: Security

 

An eight-year-old boy has been rescued in Thailand after authorities discovered him living among dogs and only able to communicate by barking.

 

According to Dailymail on Friday, the boy, whose name has been withheld, was found on Monday during a welfare check at a ramshackle, drug-infested house in Lap Lae District, Uttaradit Province.

 

Local reports say the child had been living with his mother, 46, and his 23-year-old brother, both of whom tested positive for drug use after a police raid.

Authorities raided a house in a clearing in the woods on Monday and found the family. Credit: Dailymail

Neighbours revealed that the family had long been isolated from the community, and the boy had no contact with other children. Instead, he spent his days with the family’s six dogs, which he reportedly mimicked.

“He didn’t speak, he just barked. It was pitiful to see,” said Paveena Hongsakul, president of the activist foundation which worked with police on the rescue.

 

Authorities said the boy had only attended school once, despite his mother receiving government stipends of around 400 baht (£9) meant to support his education.

 

“His mother hasn’t allowed him to go to school since he received a subsidy for free education,” Hongsakul explained. “After getting the money, she simply kept him at home.”

 

Neighbours were said to have forbidden their children from playing with the young boy due to the family’s behaviour.

 

The mother was reportedly known in the area for begging at temples and has now been charged with drug use.

 

A local teacher described the boy’s environment as a “red zone for drugs” and said that neighbours forbade their children from interacting with him.

‘The house is in a red zone for drugs,’ one teacher explained. ”The boy had no one, just the dogs to play with.”

 

The disturbing situation came to light after a headteacher raised the alarm, prompting activists and police to raid the house on June 30.

 

Images shared in Thai media showed authorities at the shack surrounded by trees and several dogs.

 

Following the rescue, the boy was taken to a children’s home, where he will receive medical and psychological care.

“The boy will be given a chance at a good life. We’ll follow up with him to make sure he gets everything he needs,” she said.

 

Cases of so-called “feral children”, youngsters raised with little or no human contact, are extremely rare but often highlight the severe consequences of neglect.

 

Experts cite the example of Oxana Malaya, a Ukrainian girl found in 1991 living with dogs after her parents abandoned her. Though she eventually learned to speak and reintegrated into society, she still struggled with some developmental challenges.

 

Authorities in Thailand say they are committed to giving the rescued boy a fresh start and the chance to live a normal life.

 

 

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stated that operational use of the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre will commence after the inauguration, scheduled for the 10th of June, 2025.

 

The Minister disclosed this on Monday, after inspecting the renovated ICC, the Outer Southern Expressway going to Wassa, and the Gishiri road construction project.

 

Recall that the Minister had shut down the Conference Centre in April 2024 for an initial period of eight months, cancelling all previously booked events and activities, while citing poor maintenance by the previous managers, Messrs Integrated Facility Management Services Limited.

 

Wike then reawarded the comprehensive renovation of the facility to Julius Berger, announcing that the ICC will be handed back to the Abuja Investment Company Limited following its renovation.

 

However, on Monday, the Minister stated that the FCT administration will enter an agreement with Julius Berger for the maintenance of the facility, describing maintenance of government facilities as “a significant challenge in this country.”

 

He noted that the new technological installations were not too complicated to be operated by the local staff who worked in the facility, adding that the administration will ensure that things are properly done.

“The centre will be maintained by Julius Berger, the company that built it. We’re not going to hand it over to any politician to manage. Maintenance is a significant challenge in this country, and we’re committed to doing things differently.

 

“The agreement with Julius Beggar will ensure that maintenance is done properly. We’re working on the details, and once the agreement is signed, we’ll make sure that anyone who uses the centre pays for maintenance.

 

“Don’t worry about the new technology; the company that provided it will handle maintenance. The staff working there are Nigerians who have been supervised by us. The technology isn’t complicated, and we’ll start operations soon after commissioning,” he said.

 

Wike also stated that leadership was crucial to the completion of various projects in the FCT, despite bureaucratic hurdles, stating, “Bureaucracy can be a challenge, but when you communicate your vision clearly and set expectations, people understand what needs to be done. Leadership is essential. Without it, you can’t achieve anything.”

 

“I work closely with civil servants who understand the vision and are committed to achieving it. If someone is not performing well, I take decisive action. It’s not about dictating, but about communicating and setting clear expectations,” he added.

 

The PUNCH reports that the FCT administration has scheduled 17 days for the inauguration of projects across the nation’s capital, with the Conference Center scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday (tomorrow).

 

One person has lost his life following a road crash involving a Premium Motor Spirit-laden tanker that occurred at Umuike Echem community, Nnobi, close to Nnokwa junction, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Sunday.

 

It was gathered that the operatives of the state fire service prevented further disaster from occurring when they responded promptly and prevented the petrol laden tanker from explosion.

 

One of the eyewitnesses near the scene said the driver lost control of the PMS laden truck and hit a perimeter fencing as he was trying to navigate a sharp bending in the area.

 

He said, ”As the driver was navigating a sharp bend, he lost control of the vehicle and the petrol tanker tripped off and hit a wall perimeter fence. The content started dripping as a result of the accident, thereby posing high risk of heavy fire outbreak.

 

“There were two passengers in the tanker, the driver and a conductor, while the conductor fell off and died instantly, the driver sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital where he is receiving currently treatment.”

 

When our correspondent visited the scene on Monday, it was observed that the fire service operatives cordoned off the scene to prevent passersby and other motorists from coming close, in order to avoid further disaster.

 

The Media and Publicity Unit of the State Fire Service, led by the state Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Monday.

Chiketa said the fire service received the distress call on Sunday, and immediately deployed two crews of firemen from different fire stations, two firefighting trucks and other fire equipment to the scene.

 

He said, “The firemen of Anambra State Fire Service intervened at a scene of an accident involving a truck ladened with PMS product at Umuike Echem village, Nnobi, close to Nnokwa junction, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

 

“The State Fire Service received the distress call at 0945 hours of Sunday and immediately deployed two crews of Firemen from different Fire Stations, two firefighting trucks and other fire equipment to the scene.

 

“It was gathered that the PMS ladened truck tripped off and hit a wall perimeter fence when the driver was trying to navigate a sharp bending, and the product started dripping as a result of the accident, posing high risk of heavy fire outbreak.

 

“Upon arrival at the scene, the crews of Firemen led by PFS Dike swiftly engaged in a cooling operation and successfully averted a possible inferno. The PMS product has also been successfully transloaded into another truck.

 

“The truck conductor lost his life on the spot, while the driver is currently responding to treatment at a hospital.”

 

He sympathised with the family of the deceased, the injured driver and the owners of the properties involved and advised the general public to go about their businesses of the day as the incident has been fully contained.

 

The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the recent spate of bandit attacks in parts of the state, as they described the development as “tragic” and “a failure of governance.”

 

The party said attacks in Kagara and Ugom communities, located in Giwa and Kajuru Local Government Areas, respectively, left two persons dead and several others injured between June 4 and 6, 2025.

 

In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Kaduna PDP Chairman, Edward Masha, the party expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the trauma inflicted on affected families.

 

The victims were identified as Salisu Aminu and Stephen Alhassan, and they were both described as respected community members.

 

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the quick recovery of those injured. The senseless violence must stop,” the statement said.

 

The PDP also berated both the state and federal governments over what it described as their “consistent failure to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.”

They called on Governor Uba Sani’s administration to immediately review its security architecture,particularly urging the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to wake up to its responsibilities.

 

“The APC-led government in Kaduna must act decisively.

 

“The Ministry of Internal Security has become alarmingly dormant.

 

“It must be revived to coordinate efforts with federal forces to prevent further bloodshed,” the party said.

 

The PDP further called on state agencies such as the State Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to immediately render assistance to affected families.

 

Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of Kaduna residents, the PDP vowed to continue holding the ruling party accountable, as it called on citizens to remain calm and hopeful ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Men of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army have arrested two persons over alleged kidnapping activity in Akunnu Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

 

This was contained in a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Njoka Irabor on Thursday.

 

According to the statement, the suspected kidnapper was arrested while making a move to collect ransom from the family of a 10-year-old boy who had earlier been abducted by the hoodlums, while the other suspect was caught giving information to the bandits.

 

The statement read, “In an effort to sustain its operational activities, while maintaining maximum security to decimate kidnappers and other criminal elements within its Area of Responsibility, troops of 32 Brigade Nigerian Army deployed on operation Fast Strike Squad at Forward Operating Base Auga, on June 3, 2025, captured a suspected kidnapper and rescued one kidnapped victim.

“The operation was carried out following credible information received from locals about a family making plans to pay ransom to kidnappers around Sabon Hanya, along the road Aiyere – Kabba in Ondo State. Troops swiftly laid an ambush along the route that the kidnappers prescribed for those to deliver the ransom.

 

“Consequently, troops captured one of the kidnappers and rescued a kidnapped victim, aged 10.

 

“The victim has been in the kidnappers’ custody for three days. However, the suspected kidnapper sustained injury during the operation.

 

“Relatedly, in a follow up operation on 4 June 2025, troops arrested one Mr Abubakar (aka Maude), a suspected informant stationed around Auga in Akoko South East LGA of Ondo State. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect is a member of a kidnapping syndicate, placed in the area to monitor the movement and activities of troops and inform members of his syndicate accordingly.”

 

Iraboh further stated that the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate security agency for onward prosecution.

 

“The suspects are presently in our custody for further interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate security agency for prosecution,” he said.

 

He added that the Commander 32 Brigade, Brigadier-General Justin Ifeanyi, had implored the people of the state to always avail the troops with credible information on the movement and activities of criminals and unknown persons within their neighbourhood, “as this would enhance the capacity of troops in conducting operations with precision and further stem the tide of criminals within 32 Brigade.”