Two-year-old Albert lives with his parents in Ankililoaka, a commune in the Toliara II district, Atsimo-Andrefana region. For their safety, families with children suffering from albinism sleep at the Ankililoaka gendarmerie at night, venturing out during the day to work and provide for their needs.
Taking advantage of this daytime routine, on September 16, individuals trapped Albert’s parents in an attempt to kidnap the child. One man monitored the family’s movements, while a second accomplice coordinated the abduction plan.
The following day, an intermediary attempted to negotiate the sale of the child with potential “buyers.” Crusoé Ralaitsivery, deputy to the central police commissioner of Toliara, explained: “Local sources alerted us to the planned sale. With authorization from the Toliara prosecutor, we set a trap and arrested five individuals near Ankililoaka on September 17. The child was found in their possession.”
The five suspects are currently in detention in Toliara awaiting trial, and the child has been returned to his parents. The “buyers” remain unidentified. This incident follows a tragic case in June, where a one-and-a-half-year-old girl named Landricia was kidnapped and murdered in Antsihanaka. Eighteen people are currently detained in connection with that case.
In response to these threats, the Ministry of Population and Solidarity is rehabilitating a former regional office in Tsimenatse, Toliara, into a multifunctional center to provide protection, training, and support for vulnerable groups, including those with albinism.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-23 06:38:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/toliara-ii-une-tentative-de-vente.html