British national and many Turkish people are kidnapped in Kenya

British national and many Turkish people are kidnapped in Kenya

A British national has reported to the BBC that he, along with several Turkish citizens, was kidnapped in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, by masked assailants on Friday. Currently, four of the Turkish citizens remain unaccounted for.

Necdet Seyitoğlu, a former UK resident for 18 years, recounted his experience of being held captive in Kenya for eight hours. He was ultimately released after presenting his British passport to his alleged abductors.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that it is offering consular assistance to a British citizen and his family following an incident in Kenya.

Authorities in Kenya have confirmed to the BBC that they are looking into a reported kidnapping incident following the account of a motorcycle driver who observed the abduction.

A report reveals that two vehicles intercepted a silver saloon car, effectively blocking it from both the front and the rear, with two occupants inside.

“Approximately eight individuals armed with weapons exited two vehicles, forcibly removed the two occupants, and drove away with them,” stated Kenyan police spokeswoman Resila Onyango.

“Subsequently, Yusuf Kar, a British national of Turkish descent, approached a local police station and confirmed the identities of the abducted individuals as Hüseyin Yeşilsu and Necdet Seyitoğlu.”

The incident has yet to elicit a response from Turkish authorities.

Mr. Seyitoğlu, an education consultant, provided further insights into his kidnapping experience, revealing discrepancies between his narrative and the police’s version of events.

A white SUV reportedly intercepted his vehicle as he departed for work with a friend at 07:30 local time (04:30 GMT).

According to his account, the two individuals were blindfolded and handcuffed by a group of four armed men before being transported to an undisclosed location.

He stated that repeated inquiries regarding the situation have yet to receive a response.

“We inquired if they could present their identification.” Where are we headed? “However, we did not receive any form of explanation,” the 49-year-old stated.

“That was the most challenging experience I have ever faced,” Mr. Seyitoğlu remarked.

He claimed that he ultimately managed to persuade his supposed captors of his British citizenship by displaying a copy of his passport on his phone.

According to his statement, following the capture of a photograph, the men reportedly received a call that appeared to convey an order for his release.

According to Mr. Seyitoğlu, the masked individuals who communicated in Swahili abandoned him at an unfamiliar location. They provided him with 1,000 shillings ($7.50; £6) for his journey home, yet they declined to return his phone and laptop.

At this juncture, Mr. Seyitoğlu stated that his wife had reported him missing and had notified the British High Commission.

Mr. Seyitoğlu reported that six other individuals, all Turkish nationals, were similarly abducted from various locations throughout Nairobi.

Mukele & Kakai, a local law firm, issued a statement indicating that it represents four men who are registered refugees, cautioning airlines about permitting their boarding.

“According to a letter from the lawyers, which the BBC has reviewed, the clients were abducted in Kenya with the intention of being deported back to Turkey, where they face political victimization.”

The campaign group Amnesty International expressed similar sentiments, with their spokesman in Kenya stating he was “deeply concerned by reports that seven asylum seekers from Türkiye have been abducted on Kenyan soil.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) informed the BBC that it is “aware of reports and will provide more information once we have it.”

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