Gunmen Halt Bus, Take Passengers to Unknown Location
Armed men ambushed a bus traveling from Addis Abeba to Debre Markos in the Degem district of North Shewa, Oromia region. Witnesses report that more than 56 passengers were forcibly taken to an unknown location.
A witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said the attack happened near Ali Doro town. “Gunmen opened fire, forcing the bus to stop. We were nearby but turned back as the shooting intensified,” the witness recalled. Security forces engaged in a firefight with the attackers, but the bus passengers were already being taken away.
Eyewitnesses Recall a Brutal Attack
Another traveler on the same route described the attack as terrifying. “The bus was hit in the tires, stopping it immediately. The attackers beat the passengers before taking them away,” he said.
Some witnesses claimed the armed men had distinctive braided hair, suggesting they could be members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), also called “OLF-Shene” by the government.
A staff member of the Felege Ghion bus company confirmed that the targeted bus was on a regular route from Addis Abeba to Debre Markos. He mentioned that one driver was shot and that several passengers, including the driver’s assistant, were among the abducted. However, no further details were available.
Pattern of Abductions in Conflict Areas
This incident is part of a growing trend of kidnappings in Ethiopia. In mid-2024, over 100 university students were abducted in a similar attack near Garba Guracha, with kidnappers later demanding ransom.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has previously warned about increasing kidnappings in conflict-hit areas, particularly in Oromia and Amhara regions. Security concerns continue to rise as kidnappings, armed attacks, and road ambushes disrupt civilian movement.