Five Arrested in Ethiopia Over Kidnapping Ring That Allegedly Used Government Vehicle

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  September 5, 2026

Police in Bahir Dar, northern Ethiopia, have arrested five people accused of involvement in a kidnapping-for-ransom operation in which a government vehicle was allegedly used to abduct and transport three people.

The suspects allegedly held the victims for 11 days and demanded 3.37 million birr from their families for their release, according to Bahir Dar city police.

The three victims, described by police as local residents and businesspeople, were travelling to work in their own vehicle in Kebele 14 of Bahir Dar on June 29, 2026, when they were abducted by unidentified individuals.

Police said their investigation identified five suspects allegedly involved in organising, carrying out and concealing the kidnapping. They include a local electronics shop owner accused of coordinating the operation and a government driver accused of providing the vehicle used in the crime.

Another suspect, a building administrator, is accused of hiding the victims and receiving 170,000 birr for helping conceal the operation. Police also identified individuals allegedly involved in transferring up to 870,000 birr through bank accounts, including a suspected accomplice from Addis Ababa.

Authorities seized the government vehicle allegedly used in the abduction, along with a Makarov pistol and a Kalashnikov rifle, according to police.

The case highlights concerns over the potential misuse of government resources in criminal activities. Bahir Dar police urged public institutions to strengthen monitoring of government vehicles and the drivers assigned to operate them.

Police said investigations are continuing to identify and arrest remaining suspects before the case is submitted to court.

Source: FSX Business News