An alarming incident unfolded in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, where armed men abducted bus passengers close to the capital, highlighting ongoing security challenges.
Armed Men Kidnap Passengers in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region
Armed Men Kidnap Passengers in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region
Dozens of individuals kidnapped from a bus in Ethiopia amidst rising tensions and abduction incidents.
The recent abduction in Ethiopia has raised serious concerns regarding safety, as armed men attacked a bus carrying passengers from the capital, Addis Ababa, to Debre Markos in the Amhara region. The incident occurred earlier this week in Ali Doro, an area notorious for similar violent incidents, where around 100 university students were kidnapped last July.
Survivors and local authorities have attributed these acts to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a rebel group operating in the region, although the group has denied involvement in both the previous and current abductions. The OLA has announced it is "conducting an investigation" following reports of the kidnapping.
Reports indicate that during the attack, at least one person died, and several buses were targeted. The number of individuals believed to be kidnapped could reach as high as 50. Despite these alarming developments, the Ethiopian government has remained silent on the matter, and attempts by the BBC to obtain an official statement have gone unanswered.
Abductions by armed groups for ransom have increasingly become a troubling pattern in the region. The OLA claims to be fighting for the self-determination of the Oromo people, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, yet the group has been labeled a terrorist organization by the federal parliament. The ongoing violence emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced security and a peaceful resolution in the area.
Survivors and local authorities have attributed these acts to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a rebel group operating in the region, although the group has denied involvement in both the previous and current abductions. The OLA has announced it is "conducting an investigation" following reports of the kidnapping.
Reports indicate that during the attack, at least one person died, and several buses were targeted. The number of individuals believed to be kidnapped could reach as high as 50. Despite these alarming developments, the Ethiopian government has remained silent on the matter, and attempts by the BBC to obtain an official statement have gone unanswered.
Abductions by armed groups for ransom have increasingly become a troubling pattern in the region. The OLA claims to be fighting for the self-determination of the Oromo people, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, yet the group has been labeled a terrorist organization by the federal parliament. The ongoing violence emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced security and a peaceful resolution in the area.
