DCI Reveal How Woman Was Used To Kidnap 2 University Students

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Thursday, November 2 rescued two university students who went missing on October 27, 2023, with the sleuths uncovering a new trend used in their abduction.

DCI in their statement revealed that the students were lured to their kidnappers' den by a female suspect and were locked up at an Airbnb at Elgon View apartments in Kitengela, Machakos County.

Two male suspects who held the students hostage while demanding Ksh6 million ransom from their parents have also been arrested in the operation led by DCI's Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau detectives.

Suspected kidnappers arrested by DCI detectives on November 2, 2023. /DCI

The investigative agency shed light on a dangerous trend of women being used as bait to lure students through dates before handing them over to the kidnappers, as was the case here.

"The suspects, Brian Ombasa Omoso, 25 and Humphrey Hinga, 22 who have since been ushered into our cells are believed to have been working jointly with the female dangerous damsel on the loose to identify and lure targeted victims, in their no-sweat approach to soft life," the detectives revealed.

"In the classic case of 'all that glitters is not gold' reported at Kiambu Police Station on Oct 29, the lady who identified herself to the victims as Debbie Zablon separately lured the duo for a meet-up at a common venue in Nairobi, and just like the biblical Samson in Delilah's arms, surrendered the 21-year-olds to her accomplices."

Taking up the matter, the crime researchers reasoned with the distressed parents while subjecting all possible leads to forensic analysis.

In their findings, it emerged that the female accomplice had used a stolen ID card to register the line which she used to communicate with the male students.

"Indeed, the legitimate owner of the ID card had earlier reported its loss at Lang'ata Police Station, a move that exonerated her from the suspects' mix," added the DCI.

"The relentless search for the victims finally paid off when the terrified hunger-stricken duo was reunited with their kin, but not without a lesson of the existence of masquerades who will do anything for money."

An imitation of a pistol, a dagger, subscriber sim cards used to contact the parents, fake front and rear car registration plates (KDD 881M) believed to have been used during their transportation and assorted tools were also recovered from the hostage room.

Detectives had a challenging moment leading the suspects to the waiting police car, as curious locals thronged the scene for a view and a desire to deliver mob justice on the suspects.

Meanwhile, a manhunt for the female miscreant who reportedly escaped arrest is underway.

An aerial view of Kitengela town. /STANDARD DIGITAL