Detectives save Somali woman from kidnappers in missed $ 50,000 ransom
NAIROBI, Kenya – Detectives from Kenya’s Crime and Research Intelligence Bureau rescued a 23-year-old woman of Somali descent in a coordinated search that lasted five days, arresting one of the men suspected of orchestrating the heinous act.
Hafsa Mohamed Lukman, a businesswoman operating in one of Nairobi’s bustling Eastleigh suburbs in Kamukunji constituency, was first kidnapped by strangers on June 15 under unclear circumstances, justifying the search, which was coordinated by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate. [DCI].
In a tweet, DCI confirmed that the woman was rescued from a “dirty room in Matopeni, Kayole, where she was forced into a water tank”. Photos of the shocking tank that hosted Ms Hafsa for five days were also posted by detectives.
The victim, DCI said, was last seen in his clothing store in Eastleigh before being kidnapped by the criminal gang, whose main motive was to blackmail his establishment allegedly to raise funds. The kidnappers, DCI added, demanded $ 50,000 [Kshs5M] of his family in exchange for his freedom.
Later, suspects would take a video recording of the lady in which she appears tortured as she begged the family to save her. In the video, the lady is also heard begging for her life as the kidnappers hang up the phone.
“Following an elaborate operation carried out by detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau and the Special Services Unit, Hafsa was rescued this morning,” the DCI department said in a tweet on Sunday.
The severely shaken woman who had visible bruises on her face and hands was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. She is currently on medication at a Nairobi hospital as police question one of the suspects.
“A 24-year-old suspect who is part of the gang that kidnapped Hafsa has been arrested and is currently being questioned by detectives,” the detectives added, noting that the suspect will shed light on the incident before swift action is taken. taken against the perpetrators.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the tweet read, “issues a stern warning to anyone intending to commit such a heinous crime, that no effort will be spared in its pursuit”.
DCI is mandated to track crimes small and large in the country and is responsible for putting the culprits on the books in many cases. The lady’s rescue comes amid kidnapping cases targeting young girls in Nairobi and across Kenya.
Kenyan newspapers on Sunday published a feature article detailing how young girls miraculously disappeared on the outskirts of Nairobi, only to be found dead elsewhere. The ICD encouraged citizens to report such incidents in time for swift action.
“We thank those members of the public who provided information through our #FichuakwaDCI hotline, leading to the rescue of a businesswoman. If you have any information that could help us get the rest of the suspects to book,” added DCI.
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