Ethiopian Migrants Face Kidnappings and Death, Leaving Behind Heartbroken Families
- Hotel
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
Young Ethiopians aspiring for a better life face the dangers of kidnappings, extortion, and sometimes death in shipwrecks while attempting to reach Europe or the Middle East.
When Nigus Yosef, a 19 year old, informed his parents about his plan to leave their home in Ethiopia's Tigray region to attempt reaching Saudi Arabia, they pleaded with him to stay. Two of their other children had already undertaken the journey through the Gulf of Aden and then through war-ravaged Yemen. Yosef’s brother is currently imprisoned in Yemen for illegal entry into the country. His sister managed to reach Saudi Arabia, also illegally, making it challenging for her to return.
On August 3, 2025, Yosef and five friends from his hometown of Adi Qeyih set sail for Yemen. That evening, the boat overturned. Out of nearly 200 passengers, only 56 survived. Yosef was not among them.
“His parents are in profound shock and grief,” his uncle, Redae Barhe, mentioned in a phone interview. “They’re unable to express their sorrow.”
Nigus Yosef is one of 132 missing from the boat that capsized this month; just one of many individuals from African nations who have disappeared while seeking a new life.
Journeys fraught with danger
The families left behind understand the high risk of tragedy. Boats are frequently overcrowded and cannot handle rough seas. Once ashore, other hazards await. Migrants, with limited resources and protection, become easy targets for human traffickers and kidnappers.
Senait Tadesse shares that her 27 year old daughter reached Yemen, only to be captured by kidnappers who contacted Tadesse via Facebook, demanding a $6,000 (USD) ransom for her release.
Tadesse explained in an interview with The Associated Press in Addis Ababa that she sold her car and all her jewellery to gather the money, depositing it in an Ethiopian bank account.
However, the kidnappers demanded more. She sold all her belongings, yet they still wanted more. Desperate, she approached the police with the local bank account number the kidnappers had used.
Meanwhile, she was on Facebook, seeking updates about her daughter. Finally, a survivor's post confirmed that Tadesse’s daughter had been killed. To date, no arrests have been made.
This incident has truly disgusted me, leaving me with a profound sense of indignation and disappointment. The nature of the events that transpired is deeply troubling, and it raises numerous questions about the underlying issues that allowed such a situation to occur. I find myself compelled to seek clarity on the actions that authorities are currently taking in response to this matter.
It is essential for the relevant agencies to not only acknowledge the seriousness of the incident but also to take decisive and transparent steps toward addressing it. I am particularly interested in understanding the scope of the investigation that is being launched. How far are the authorities willing to go in their pursuit of the truth? Will they thoroughly examine all aspects of the case, including any potential negligence or oversight that may have contributed to the incident?
Moreover, I hope that they will consider the wider implications of their findings. It is crucial for the authorities to engage with the community and ensure that all voices are heard, especially those who may have been directly affected by the incident. Public trust in law enforcement and regulatory bodies hinges on their ability to handle such cases with integrity and diligence.
Furthermore, I wonder about the timeline of the investigation. Will there be regular updates provided to the public to keep everyone informed of the progress being made? Transparency is vital in maintaining confidence in the process, and it is important for the authorities to demonstrate their commitment to justice and accountability.
In conclusion, this incident has not only left me feeling disgusted but also eager for a thorough and comprehensive investigation. I hope that the authorities will rise to the occasion, delve deeply into the case, and ultimately provide answers that the community deserves.
