The uproar over kidnapped university students by gunmen at a town of Gebre Guracha in Ethiopia’s Oromia regional state is intensifying internationally, with many demanding to know the status of these students.
Over a hundred university students were kidnapped last week by the militants of Oromo Liberation Front and they are still being held amid unconfirmed reports that the kidnappers had released ethnic Oromos among the students.
Families of the captives Wednesday told APA that they have been receiving a ransom demand of up to a million birr ($17.3 thousand) for the release of each student.
The families complained over the government’s inaction to secure their release and many people are expressing doubt that Oromia security forces jointly orchestrated the kidnappings.
“We’ve been receiving phone calls from government officials, but until now, we didn’t see any action. The only and best option appears to be raising funds and pay the money,” a sister of a captive told APA on condition of anonymity
The federal government has not commented and it is unclear if work is underway by the federal government to secure the release of the students.
About six students had managed to escape and they later claimed they were kidnapped by “Shane” – a militant ethnic Oromo Nationalist Group that calls itself the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).
Kidnaping of civilians for ransom has worsened insecurity in the Oromia region of Ethiopia.
MG/as/APA