Police in Nairobi have rescued a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly kidnapped by a gang of armed youths and arrested four suspects believed to be behind the incident.
According to police reports, the teenager was abducted on Friday afternoon while walking along Jam Street in Eastleigh.
Authorities say the attackers, who were allegedly armed with knives, assaulted the boy before forcing him into a white Suzuki vehicle and driving him to an undisclosed location.
Suspects Demanded Sh500,000 Ransom
Investigators revealed that the kidnappers later contacted the victim’s father and allegedly demanded a ransom of KSh500,000 in exchange for the boy’s release.
Following a distress report from a concerned resident, officers from Pangani Police Station launched an operation to trace the suspects and locate the missing teenager.
Victim Found Locked Inside Vehicle
The search led detectives to Pangani Heights, where the boy was reportedly found locked inside a Toyota Ractis parked in a basement.
Police arrested two suspects who were allegedly inside the vehicle with the victim at the time of the rescue.
A further operation led to the arrest of two additional suspects found in a separate Suzuki vehicle.
Officers also recovered the teenager’s Samsung mobile phone from the second vehicle, strengthening the case against the suspects.
Four Suspects in Custody
The four suspects were taken into custody and booked at Pangani Police Station as investigations continue.
Police say they are expected to face charges including:
- Kidnapping
- Assault
- Demanding money by menace
- Related criminal offences
The two vehicles believed to have been used in the commission of the crime were impounded and are being held as exhibits.
Hunt for Fifth Suspect Continues
Detectives have also launched a manhunt for another suspect identified only as Fahad, who is believed to have driven the vehicle used to transport the teenager from Eastleigh during the abduction.
Police say efforts to track down and arrest the suspect are ongoing.
The successful rescue has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnappings and ransom-related crimes in Nairobi, with authorities urging members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
