News Update: New Details Emerge on Over 100 Amhara University Students Kidnapped in Oromia Region
July 24, 2024: As previously reported three weeks ago, over 100 university students traveling by bus from the Amhara region to the capital, Addis Ababa, were abducted by gunmen in the Oromia region. Most of the students, reportedly from Debark University, were taken by armed individuals in the Gerbe Guracha area of Oromia. Family members and witnesses confirmed the abduction.
In this shocking development, the students were led into the forest and held under dire conditions for several days. Eyewitness accounts and testimonies from released students have provided a clearer picture of their ordeal.
Details of the Incident
According to eyewitness accounts, a total of 106 individuals, including a few non-student travelers, were taken from their vehicle at gunpoint. The kidnappers led the group into the forest, where they were threatened with weapons and sticks. After identifying the students by their ethnicity, the captors released around 30 individuals, emptying their bank accounts before letting them go.
Ransom and Release
So far, eight students have been released after their families paid ransom. Tragically, one student is still reported missing. The families of the hostages have received varying ransom demands, suggesting the students were divided into groups.
Testimonies from Released Students
One student recounted being taken to a city at night with non-student youths, where they spent the night in a house before being released. Another student described their captivity in village cottages, where they were fed food brought from the local village. Despite the harsh conditions, no sexual violence was reported.
Desperate Pleas from Families
The families of the kidnapped students are in a state of anguish. One father, unable to meet the ransom demand of one million, has resorted to begging in the market after exhausting support from relatives, friends, and his church. Many families, living in remote rural areas, lack the resources to pay the ransoms or make their plight known. Some families are in mourning, fearing for their children’s lives.
Treatment of Hostages
Reports about the treatment of the hostages are mixed. Some families claim their children are being beaten, while others state that the militants are not physically harming them but are closely monitoring them. Male and female students are reportedly guarded by gunmen of the same gender. All families report that their children are suffering from food shortages and exposure to cold due to inadequate clothing.
Ongoing Crisis
This ongoing crisis has left families and local communities in despair, struggling to secure the safe return of their loved ones. Despite repeated calls for help, the authorities have yet to take effective action to resolve the situation.
The East African Review will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Source and Credit: This news update was gathered and reported by of Ethiopian journalist Elias Meseret.
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