Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic - Two year old child killed by kidnappers
September 3, 2024
Yesterday city residents who came out for peaceful protests of an abduction and killing clashed with government security forces which resulted in killings and injuries. The disagreement led to security forces taking measures which left 4 people killed and others injured.
In various areas of Amhara Region abductions and killings have caused anger among residents. Yesterday following the kidnapping and killing of a young child in Gonder city, peaceful protests were carried out which led to several deaths according to sources.
In various areas of Amhara Region abductions have taken place, and high ransoms have been demanded, but even after accepting the ransom killings have still taken place.
On August 30, 2024 (Nehase 24, 2016 EC) this is what took place in Gonder city. A 2 year old child named Nolawit Zegeye became kidnapped under unprecedented and saddening circumstances.
A close relative of the child told Deutsche Welle the kidnappers waited until the child’s mother and father went to work before abducting the child on the morning of August 30, 2024 (Nehase 24, 2016 EC) at around 9 am when the child was in custody of her grandparent after which they left a note in the courtyard saying “we have kidnapped her so bring one million birr for her release”.
This close relative explained after the kidnappers received the money the child’s body was found near the fencing of the house. Over 200,000 birr was gathered from relatives after which they negotiated with the kidnappers to reduce the amount to 300,000 birr but when they were unable to gather enough money, they demanded as much money as the family could provide and after taking 200,000 birr they left the child’s body by the fencing of the house.
The source says abductions and killings have become rampant in Gonder and have become crimes without defense. They explained the suffering citing examples of clergy members abducted from the church and a wounded mother (maid) who was with her child when she was killed.
Another resident of Gonder city on their end said only a few days prior said a mother and child were killed in connection with abductions, saying during the time of the abduction prior to the death of the mother, one of the kidnappers was shot and killed and the other was injured but during the gunfire exchange the mother and child lost their lives.
The close relative of Nolawit told Deutsche Welle yesterday during peaceful protests town residents clashed with government security forces which left people killed and injured. During the disagreement the security forces took measures which left 4 people killed and others injured which they confirmed. Another source told Deutsche Welle during yesterday’s protest they witnessed 4 people shot and killed. Efforts to include comments surrounding the matter from the regional peace and security bureau head and the Gonder city administration government communications affairs office head were not successful.
Abductions and killings which have taken place at various times and places in Amhara Region have disturbed the livelihoods of residents in the region leading many to lose hope. It has been widely said that some have been forced to leave their neighborhoods to other towns.
Alemnew Mekonnen
Yohannes Gebreegziabher
Eshete Bekele
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