Kenyan authorities are investigating a disturbing kidnapping incident involving a British national and several Turkish citizens in Nairobi.
British Man and Turkish Nationals Abducted
The incident took place in the Kenyan capital on a Friday morning. Necdet Seyitoğlu, a British national of Turkish origin, revealed that he and a group of Turkish nationals were kidnapped by armed men while traveling in Nairobi. Seyitoğlu, who had lived in the UK for 18 years before moving to Kenya two years ago, was reportedly released after eight hours when he showed his captors a copy of his British passport on his phone. However, four Turkish citizens remain missing.
Witness Report and UK Involvement
A local motorcycle driver witnessed part of the abduction, prompting an immediate response from the Kenyan police. In a statement, the UK Foreign Office confirmed they were “providing consular support to a British man and his family following an incident in Kenya.”
The abduction occurred when two vehicles intercepted a silver saloon car carrying two occupants, forcing them to stop. According to the police report, eight armed men emerged from the vehicles, forcibly removed the occupants, and drove away with them. Kenyan police spokeswoman Resila Onyango confirmed the investigation into the kidnapping and identified one of the abducted Turkish nationals as Hüseyin Yeşilsu.
Details of the Ordeal
Seyitoğlu, who is an education consultant, provided a first-hand account of the terrifying ordeal. He described how a white SUV blocked his car while he was en route to work with a friend at around 7:30 a.m. local time. Four masked men armed with weapons blindfolded and handcuffed them before driving them to an unknown location.
Despite repeated requests for information, the abductors remained silent. “We asked them, can you show your identification? Where are we going? But we didn’t get any kind of explanation,” Seyitoğlu explained, adding that it was “the worst experience” of his life.
Seyitoğlu managed to convince his captors of his British citizenship by showing them his passport on his phone. After the kidnappers received a phone call, which seemed to instruct them to release him, they dropped him off in an unfamiliar area. They handed him Sh1,000 for transportation but kept his phone and laptop.
Larger Abduction Network?
Seyitoğlu revealed that six other Turkish nationals he knew were also abducted in similar circumstances from different locations across Nairobi. This has raised concerns about a larger, organized network targeting Turkish citizens in Kenya.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
A local law firm, Mukele & Kakai, is representing four of the abducted men, who are registered refugees in Kenya. In a letter addressed to local airlines, the firm warned against deporting the men to Turkey, where they face political persecution.
Amnesty International echoed these concerns, with a spokesperson in Kenya expressing deep worry about the abduction of the Turkish asylum seekers. “We are deeply concerned by reports that seven asylum seekers from Turkey have been abducted on Kenyan soil,” the representative stated.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has also acknowledged the incident, stating they are aware of the situation and will provide more details once further information is available.
Ongoing Investigation
As Kenyan police continue their investigation, the whereabouts of the missing Turkish nationals remain unknown. This incident has sparked international concern, with human rights organizations closely monitoring the situation. With the abduction case still unfolding, both local and international authorities are working to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safe return of the missing individuals. The kidnapping of British and Turkish nationals in Nairobi is a troubling incident that has raised alarms both locally and internationally. As the investigation continues, there is a growing demand for justice and protection for the abducted individuals. Kenyan authorities, along with international partners, must work swiftly to resolve the case and address the safety concerns for foreign nationals residing in the country.
