20 arrested over the abduction of Italian woman in Kilifi

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet says police have arrested three more suspects over the abduction of an Italian social worker at Chakama village in Malindi, Kilifi County on Tuesday night.

This brings the number of those detained so far to twenty, even as a multi-agency team tries to find 23-year-old Silvia Constanca Romano.

According to IG Boinnet, the gang that was armed with AK 47 rifles attacked Chakama Trading Centre at around 8pm.

The attackers shot indiscriminately at residents including children during the incident.

“Neither the reasons for the attack nor the identity of the attackers have been established. Meanwhile, we appeal to members of the public in the area to report promptly to the nearest Police Officer or Police Station should they sight the criminals with the abducted lady,” police said.

The Italian woman who was kidnapped is said to have been working as a volunteer at Africa Milele Onlus, an non-profit organisation in the area.

A spot check on the website indicates that the organisation was set up for “reception, support and education of all those children marginalized by society, because they are orphans.”

The location of its headquarters is listed as Fano Town in Italy.

Those injured were identified as Samini Garama Dadu (23yrs), Ibrahim Said (16yrs), Elias Mwaringa Kathua (12yrs), Mohamed Kalume Konde (10yrs), Mang Katana Jeffa (20yrs).

The three children: Ibrahim, Elias and Mohamed, sustained gunshot wounds on the left knee, left thigh and left eye respectively but their conditions are reported as stable.