Armed men abducted as many as 50 bus passengers in Ethiopia's Oromia region, raising alarms about civilian safety. This incident highlights the growing pattern of kidnappings in the area, often linked to extremist groups like the Oromo Liberation Army.
Abducted Passengers from Bus in Ethiopia Sparks Outrage
Abducted Passengers from Bus in Ethiopia Sparks Outrage
Armed groups are increasingly targeting civilians traveling within Oromia region, with reports of dozens abducted from a bus.
Dozens of travelers were violently seized by armed men in Ethiopia's Oromia region as they traveled by bus from the capital, Addis Ababa. The alarming details of the incident, which occurred earlier this week, have begun to surface. Reports indicate that the abductions happened in the vicinity of Ali Doro, near the site of a previous mass kidnapping last July involving around 100 university students returning home from school.
Eyewitness accounts from survivors and local officials have pointed fingers at the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a prominent rebel organization active in the region. The OLA, however, distanced itself from the latest incident, stating they had received reports and are "conducting an investigation" into the matter.
As per local media coverage, the bus passengers were en route to Debre Markos in the neighboring Amhara region when they came under fire from armed assailants. This violent confrontation reportedly led to the death of at least one individual and left numerous others in peril, with estimates suggesting up to 50 individuals may have been taken hostage. As of now, there has been no official response from the government regarding these kidnappings, and inquiries directed at officials have remained unanswered.
The frequency of civilian abductions, including those involving bus passengers, has noticeably increased in the region. Armed groups have historically leveraged these situations to demand ransoms for the safe return of the abducted individuals. The OLA claims to be fighting for the self-determination of the Oromo people, Ethiopia's most populous ethnic group, yet has faced classification as a terrorist entity by the federal parliament. Their operations are concentrated in various locations across Oromia, including the district that encompasses Ali Doro.
