More Than 100 People Kidnapped In Ethiopia, Perpetrators Ask For Ransom

Map via Google

JAKARTA - Reportedly 100 people, including students, were kidnapped for ransom last week in the turbulent region of Ethiopia.

This was conveyed by the US ambassador to Addis Ababa as reported by Reuters, Monday, July 8.

Although the peace agreement signed in November 2022 has resulted in stability in Tigray, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration has struggled to create security in other regions.

Last year, more than 1,300 people were killed across the country, with most violence occurring in the Amhara region and Oromia, according to the United Nations.

"The recent and frequent kidnappings in the territory of Oromia and Amhara show how prolonged conflict has grown in the courage of criminals and weakens the rule of law," US Ambassador Ervin Massinga wrote on social media platform X.

Last week, more than 100 students and passengers were kidnapped for ransom, he added.

On Wednesday last week, three buses were stopped by unidentified gunmen about 120 km north of the capital Addis Ababa, in the Oromia region, said a Debark University student, who later fled and hid in the forest.

"It was scary and shocking. They started beating passengers with sticks, and forced them out of the bus," he said.

The kidnappers spoke Oromo language and had the same hairstyle as the fighters of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group, accused by the United Nations of murder, property destruction, rape and kidnapping.

The kidnappers are now asking families to pay up to 1 million billion (USD 17,500) to release the prisoners, "he told Reuters, who asked not to be named.

OLA spokesman, local government of Oromia, and central government have yet to respond to Reuters regarding the incident.

Asmamaw Zegeye, Chancellor of Debark University, confirmed the incident but did not provide further details.

The younger sister of another student said the group had asked 500,000 Ethiopian birers for their release.