Six suspects, including two Ethiopians and four Pakistani nationals, have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping three Sri Lankan citizens and demanding a $90,000 ransom.
The victims had recently arrived in Ethiopia for work opportunities before being abducted.
The investigation began on May 26, 2026 , after the Sri Lankan Embassy reported the disappearance of the three individuals to the Bole Sub-City Police Department.
The victims had arrived in the country just three days prior on May 23. Following the report, law enforcement agencies launched an immediate tracking operation to locate the missing foreign nationals.
Using advanced digital tracking and surveillance technology, police investigators discovered that the victims were picked up directly from the airport in a Suzuki vehicle with a Code 2 license plate.
The suspects transportted the victims away from the capital city to a remote location to avoid immediate detection by urban security forces.
A coordinated raid successfully located the victims locked inside a residential house in Shashemene, a city located in the Oromia Region. Security forces apprehended the six suspects at the scene without any harm coming to the hostages.
The kidnappers had reportedly demanded $30,000 for each individual ($90,000 in total) for their release.
The Addis Ababa Police Commission extended its appreciation to the collaborative forces that ensured the success of the operation.
The rescue was achieved through a joint effort involving the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), the Federal Police, the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), and the Oromia Regional Police.