Omar Bin Omran
Omar Bin Omran, who vanished at the age of 17 in 1998, has been found alive after 26 years in his neighbor’s house in Djelfa, Algeria. He was discovered in a hidden hole within a sheep pen, covered by stacks of hay, less than 200 meters from his family’s home.
Daily Mail reported that Omar was found on May 12, after the captor’s brother aired grievances on social media, which prompted Omar’s family to search the neighbor’s property. The captor, a 61-year-old civil servant now in police custody, attempted to flee but was restrained and arrested.
Footage shared on social media and broadcast on Algerian television shows the moment Omar was found, with torchlights illuminating the pit where he had been held. Other images depict a bearded Omar emerging from the hole and as a teenager before his disappearance.
His family had long believed he was killed during the civil war that devastated Algeria in the 1990s and early 2000s. Tragically, his mother died in 2013, never knowing her son’s fate. Omar was informed of her death while in captivity.
A relative expressed relief on Facebook: “Thank god my cousin was found. Bin Imran Omar is in good health after 26 years of disappearance. Awaiting details of the case and investigations.
“Public prosecutors in Djelfa, a city of around 500,000 people, have vowed to seek justice for Omar.
“The Djelfa Attorney General’s Office informs the public that on May 12 at 8 pm local time, it found victim Omar B, aged 45, in the case of his neighbor, B.A., aged 61,” they said in a statement.
A court official in Djelfa provided details: “The Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered that the victim receive medical and psychological treatment, and the suspect will be presented to the Public Prosecutor’s Office immediately after the completion of the investigation.”
The captor lived alone but was often seen buying enough food for two people. A neighbor recounted to Algerian TV station Bilad that Omar’s mother died without knowing her son was so close by.
Questions have arisen about why Omar did not call for help during his captivity. Some reports suggest Omar claimed he was unable to call out due to a spell cast by his captor, while others point to his psychological state as a barrier.
This case could be among the world’s longest-running kidnapping cases, reminiscent of Jaycee Dugard, who was kidnapped in California in 1991 and held for over 18 years.
Officials have promised to prosecute the “perpetrator of this heinous crime” with severity, ensuring Omar receives the justice and support he needs after his long ordeal.