Armed Groups Target Bus Passengers in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region

Survivors allege that the Oromo Liberation Army is responsible for the abduction, which adds to the alarming trend of kidnappings in the area.

Dozens of passengers traveling from the capital city, Addis Ababa, to Debre Markos in Ethiopia’s Amhara region were reportedly abducted by armed men in the Oromia region earlier this week. Initial reports indicate that armed individuals attacked the bus in a location known as Ali Doro, an area already notorious for prior kidnappings, including the abduction of around 100 university students last July.

Witnesses and local authorities have pointed fingers at the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), a rebel faction that operates within the Oromia region. Although the OLA has previously denied involvement in similar incidents, they acknowledged awareness of this week’s abductions and stated that an investigation is underway.

Local media reports suggest that the initial attack involved exchanges of gunfire between the abductors and local security forces, and sadly, at least one person was reported dead during the incident. The number of individuals abducted could reach as high as 50, according to some sources.

Despite the severity of the situation, the Ethiopian government has yet to release an official statement on the matter, and efforts by the BBC to obtain feedback have been inconclusive. The trend of civilian kidnappings for ransom has been on the rise in the Oromia region, posing significant risks for travelers and local residents alike.

The OLA, which has been branded a terrorist organization by the federal parliament, claims to be fighting for the rights and self-determination of the Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia's largest. Their operations are primarily concentrated in various districts of Oromia, including Ali Doro, where the recent incidents occurred.