Surge in Kidnappings: Armed Assault on Ethiopian Bus Passengers

In a troubling trend, armed men have abducted as many as 50 bus passengers in Ethiopia's Oromia region, harking back to a similar incident last year involving university students. The OLA, a rebel group blamed for previous abductions, has denied involvement while conducting its own investigation into the recent kidnappings.

Dozens of bus passengers in Ethiopia were reportedly abducted by armed men while traveling from the capital city, Addis Ababa. The kidnapping took place earlier this week in Ali Doro, located in the Oromia region, which has been the site of similar incidents. Local authorities and survivors suggested that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a rebel faction active in the area, might be involved, though the group has denied any participation in the abductions.

Eyewitness reports indicate that the passengers were en route to Debre Markos, situated in the neighboring Amhara region when armed attacks occurred. Conflict erupted as local security forces engaged the assailants, resulting in at least one fatality. The number of people taken could potentially reach 50, raising alarms over the pattern of civilian abductions in the region.

The Ethiopian government has yet to officially comment on the kidnappings, and inquiries from the media, including the BBC, have gone unanswered. As the frequency of such abductions increases, concerns grow that armed groups, which have previously demanded ransoms for kidnapped individuals, might capitalize on the turmoil. The OLA’s declared intention is to advocate for the autonomy of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, yet the group has been categorized as a terrorist organization by lawmakers and operates within various districts of Oromia, including where Ali Doro is located.