On January 26th, 20 workers were taken hostage while on duty at a water pump station located 25 km away from the Dangote cement factory in Muger town. The kidnappers, believed to be associated with the OLF Shene group, designated as a terrorist group by the Ethiopian government, have been operating in the western Oromia region and areas closer to Addis Ababa.
In a shocking twist, the kidnappers reportedly acted as a financial institution, offering a “pay later” option for those unable to pay the ransom fee of 50,000 to 100,000 birr. Despite being released unharmed on January 30th, the source of the ransom payments remains unknown, with some workers reportedly paying on their own while others received the “pay later” option.
This is not the first time the Dangote cement factory has faced such a threat, as 30 employees were kidnapped in December of last year, with the company paying a ransom of between 100,000 to 200,000 birr per victim.
Although a company spokesperson confirmed the workers’ release, the safety of employees and measures in place to protect them continue to be a major concern. The recurring cycle of ransom and kidnapping underscores the importance of better security measures and addressing the root causes of such crimes.
The kidnappers’ behavior of offering a “pay later” option is not only disturbing but highlights the desperate need for action to protect the lives and well-being of workers in the region.
