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In the latest string of kidnapping stories in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, eleven employees of the Ethiopian Institute of Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center are facing the same fate.
Ethiopian Media Service (EMS), based in the Diaspora, spoke to the director of the Institute, Dr. Dagne, who confirmed the story.
It occurred on Tuesday this week in the Alem Tena area of the Oromia region. The kidnappers are described as “unidentified.”
They were kidnapped from fieldwork related to research activity. However, not all of them are not researchers. The Director has confirmed that support workers and a driver are among those kidnapped.
Asked if there is anything that police have discovered about their condition or if there is a pledge on the part of the police to secure their release, the director said “Nothing. Police are following up the case.”
Dr. Dagne also said that effort is still underway through the government channels and through the mediation of elders. From experiences so far mediation is usually through Abba Geda – spiritual leaders in the ethnic Oromo community.
Regarding the situation of the kidnappers, not much seems to be known except that they spoke to their family members at one point.
The director was also asked if there was a political or financial demand from the kidnappers but he did not disclose that. He said there was nothing.
Kidnapping has become a common practice in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Almost all of the kidnappings so far turned out to be a Ransome case and What the Ethiopian government calls OLF Shane (the group calls itself Oromo Liberation Army) is behind it.
Only two weeks ago, Six Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) employees were kidnapped by the same group in the Aluto Langano where they were working on a geothermal project. The group demanded 10 million birr ransom to set the kidnappees free which EEP declined to pay. The organization has not disclosed if its employees are released.
In a related development, there is unconfirmed news that Several Chinese workers were kidnapped in the region this week.
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Fasten your belt folks! Such kidnapping is not limited to Oromia region only. It is taking place in other regions also. Those of you who travel to that country must be very careful in the two regions of Amhara and Oromia. This kidnapping appears to be confined in rural areas, but it will be a matter of time before kidnappings for ransom and assassination become a way of life in urban areas. If you can’t call such kidnappers terrorists, then who is? These days if you own a sizeable farm and any business, you are a target. If you are from a city and you go to rural areas for business or any other occasions, you can be a target. They force you into making regular payments to avoid such kidnapping just what the rebels in Eritrea and Ogaden were doing in the 1960’s and 70’s. With more than 70% of the youth unemployed such crimes will not go away but they will be in the daily news. Hold on to your seats!!!
They demand around 4 mil and it was already paid by their families.
How did you know?
i came across some kidnappers a few months ago in Bishoftu, it was about 5 of them all working together. i know where this particular group operates from. and i think they are connected with the recent kidnapping at the research center. i didn;t want to go to the local police in fear that the some of the police officers are working with the OLA/OLF kidnappers. if we can capture and torture a few of them, they will give up information. since the police are not helping, we need to come together as a community to eliminate this threat ASAP. email me at Iyesus@protonmail.com
Some comments on the english language, probably the translation. As an example Kidnapped are referred to as KIDNAPPERS. Other phrases you find negative statements are written in a confusing way.
Start online english course.