Three police officers were arrested in what turned out to be a failed kidnapping and extortion attempt on two university students.
The three police constables attached to the K9 unit in Langata on Friday, February 3, accosted the students at the entrance of one of the famous shopping malls in the city where they had reportedly gone for lunch.
On introducing themselves, the officers in civilian clothes allegedly arrested the students, one a second-year student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and his colleague, a first-year at Daystar University, on claims that they were in possession of bhang.
The rogue officers bundled the two into two waiting cars – a silver Toyota Avensis and a white Toyota Vitz.
The victims of the botched attempted daylight kidnapping spent four hours in the two cars under the watchful eye of their captors, who demanded Ksh100,000 from each of them in exchange for their freedom.
“They were forced to call their parents and send one hundred thousand each in order to secure their release or be taken to custody,” read part of the statement recorded at the Langata Police Station.
One of the victims was escorted to a nearby mobile money agent and forced to withdraw Ksh20,000 that his parents had sent, after which he was released.
However, the second victim’s mother, who had rushed to the scene of the crime where her son was being held captive upon receiving a call, raised an alarm with police officers on patrol.
She had reportedly asked to be allowed to go out to withdraw cash in the mall.
Police reports indicated that officers attached to the Nyayo Police Post laid an ambush on the two vehicles that were still parked arresting two of the rogue officers and rescuing the student.
The third accomplice was later arrested in Langata area.
“After recording statements from the students, it was established that the officers were working in cahoots with a security guard at Magharibi Building, who was the one who allegedly discovered the narcotics and called the officers,” court documents read in part.
The arrested officers were held in Langata police station waiting for their arraignment in court.
Police officers have since mounted a manhunt for one of the suspects who managed to flee during the ambush.
