Ethiopia

17 Ethiopians rescued by DCI from trafficking ordeal, two suspects arrested

Some of the 17 Ethiopians rescued by DCI. (Photo: DCI)

By Lucy Mumbi | Thursday, June 6, 2024

Detectives set up a trap at Makupa Bridge and intercepted an Isuzu lorry, which was found with the Ethiopian men hidden in the lorry's carriage.

Detectives from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) have rescued 17 Ethiopian nationals believed to be victims of human trafficking.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said on Wednesday the rescue was a result of a tip-off from the public.

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According to the DCI, the detectives set up a trap at Makupa Bridge and intercepted an Isuzu lorry, which was found with the Ethiopian men hidden in the lorry's carriage.

Two suspects, a driver and his assistant, suspected to be in connection with the trafficking operation were also arrested.

“DCI's Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) detectives have today arrested a driver and his turnboy, and rescued 17 persons believed to be victims of human trafficking; a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights,” the DCI said.

The rescued individuals, along with the lorry's driver and his assistant, were taken to Makupa Police Station.

DCI said the individuals involved are scheduled to appear in a Mombasa court on Thursday.

Similar arrests

Since January, several Ethiopian nationals have been arrested in different parts of Nairobi as police crack down on suspected human trafficking networks.

The intercepted Isuzu lorry which was carrying the Ethiopian men. (Photo: DCI)

On January 7, 2024, 47 Ethiopians without documents were arrested while being transported to Mombasa in a truck.

They were nabbed when police officers stopped the truck they were being transported in at Makindu in Makueni county for inspection. Police said the truck was supposed to drop the aliens in Voi at a fee.

On February 27, 2024, over 200 Ethiopians believed to be victims of human trafficking were also rescued in different parts of the country. Two police officers suspected to be behind the act were also arrested and detained.

Officers from the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) conducted an operation within the Tassia kwa Muhundi area in Embakasi where they rescued 132 victims of human trafficking in one of the residential houses.

National Police Service officers from the Githurai area in conjunction with TOCU also arrested 37 aliens of Ethiopian Nationality.

According to the police they were found sleeping on the floor in one house at Kizito are, Mwihoko.

The police said they have intensified the crackdown amid reports that Nairobi has become a favourite transit and destination point for a network of traffickers for aliens from Ethiopia.