Relief As Law Graduate Kidnapped at Petrol Station Returns Home

A 26-year-old law graduate who was reportedly abducted minutes after leaving a local petrol station in Sultan Hamud, Makueni County, on Saturday, July 1 returned home safely on Sunday, July 2.

The family of the young city lawyer, Abdullahi Hassan, expressed relief after he walked back home upon being set free by his abductors.

Without giving many details, the family added that the police responded swiftly to their plea, tracing the criminals and releasing Hassan.

Abducted but freed Abdullahi Hassan. /TWITTER.HMS ADVOCATES

“We wish to inform everyone that Abdullahi Hassan is now home safe. The police worked tirelessly to track down the assailants who are known carjackers and have since returned him home safe. The family wishes to thank you all for your support and wishes,” they said.

The family further suggested that the assailants were regular carjackers and not linked to the police.

Hassan and his father, according to a missing person's notice shared on social media, were trailed by a white Toyota Hilux pickup that intercepted them at the petrol station at around 4.30 pm.

Amidst a scuffle, three perpetrators removed the father from the car and abducted the lawyer before driving off with him to an unknown location.

“Abdullahi Hassan, a 26-year-old lawyer, was abducted along Sultan Hamud leaving Ilade oil petrol station at 4.30 pm. White pick-up Hilux stopped them, removed father from the car and took Abdul,” the social media post raising the alarm said.

During the abduction, Hassan wore a cream shirt, navy-blue trousers and black Adidas shoes with white stripes on the side.

The abduction raised speculations regarding the crafty scheme organised by the kidnappers, who executed it allegedly in a short time span.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Eric Theuri, while calling for urgent intervention, appealed to police officers to use all available resources to locate the graduate.

"Hope this young man is found safe and sound. And may this not be a resumption of the culture of disappearance,” Theuri posted in response to the news.

The poster was also shared extensively on social media, with Kenyans online collectively urging anyone privy to Hassan's whereabouts to come forward and help the police to locate and retrieve him. The National Police Service (NPS) officers were yet to speak on the alleged abduction.

It came following the disappearance of former Treasury official Tom Osinde on Sunday, June 18 before his body was found in River Kuja, Migori County on Thursday, June 29.

On Friday, June 30, an autopsy conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Odour, who conducted the postmortem at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, revealed that the late Tom died after suffering injuries to his head inflicted from several blows using a heavy object.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with the murder, with the main suspect reported being seen driving the deceased's vehicle days before his body was discovered.

The incident raised concerns about the return of mysterious disappearances and probable deaths, which turn into cold cases.

The late former Treasury official Mokaya Osinde who went missing on Saturday, June 24, 2023. /FILE