Detectives in Kiambu Sub-County have arrested five suspected kidnappers who had held a hostage for ransom.
The incident unfolded in Ruaka and later culminated in Thindigua, Kiambu County, highlighting the growing menace of organized crime in the Nairobi metropolitan area.
According to investigators, the ordeal began when the victim’s girlfriend attempted to call her boyfriend, only for her call to be answered by an unfamiliar voice.
The anonymous caller, believed to be one of the abductors, issued a chilling demand, a Sh500,000 pay for his release. Alarmed by the threats, she immediately alerted the authorities.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, detectives launched a covert operation to track the suspects’ movements. Their pursuit led them to Ithanga, where the victim was discovered in a dire condition. He bore visible injuries, his shirt soaked in blood, indicating he had been assaulted during the ordeal.
Police reports revealed that the suspects had meticulously orchestrated the abduction and were attempting to negotiate a ransom before their arrest.
The rescue operation, coordinated by Kiambu Sub-County Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers, ended successfully with the victim’s release and the capture of the suspects near Quickmatt in Thindigua.
The five suspects were identified as Sydney Ezra Achanda, John Louise Omondi, Enock Sum Cheruyot, Peter Kanini Mwangi, and Lucy Sara Muhonja. They are believed to be part of a wider criminal network that has been targeting unsuspecting victims in Kiambu and Nairobi counties.
During the operation, detectives also impounded two getaway vehicles linked to the suspects: a Suzuki Swift (registration KDD 841D) and a Mazda Demio (registration KDP 468Y).
Both vehicles are thought to have been used in transporting the victim and coordinating the abduction.
A thorough search of the cars unearthed suspicious items, including a kitchen knife, ten assorted mobile phones, and a tablet. Investigators suspect these gadgets were used to coordinate the crime and may contain crucial evidence pointing to other potential kidnappings.
Police sources noted that the victim is currently receiving medical attention and trauma counseling, as he had endured a harrowing experience at the hands of the kidnappers. His injuries, though not life-threatening, were consistent with prolonged physical assault.
Authorities have since launched further investigations to determine whether the suspects are linked to other unresolved kidnapping cases in the region.
Detectives are also tracing the origin of the phones and gadgets recovered, with the hope of unmasking other accomplices who may still be at large.
DCI has urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities or ransom-related phone calls.
“We commend the swift action by our officers in rescuing the victim before any ransom was paid. This operation sends a clear message to criminals that their actions will not go unpunished,” a senior Kiambu DCI officer told the media.
