Maputo, 7 May (AIM) – Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has arrested two police officers in connection with a kidnapping that took place on Friday in Maputo city.
According to SERNIC spokesperson, Hilário Lole, who was speaking to reporters on Monday, in Maputo, these police officers are stationed at the 23rd police precinct.
“Once the arrests are confirmed, the Mozambican Police (PRM) will take the necessary administrative steps to hold them accountable, while the criminal proceedings take place at SERNIC”, Lole said.
He explained that the kidnapping took place when an eight-year-old child was intercepted at Jardim Primary School, on the outskirts of the city, by three individuals travelling in a light vehicle.
“When they arrived, they approached the child and invited her into the car. After a few minutes, the criminals started making calls to the child’s mother, as her contact was registered in one of their notebooks. They were demanding the payment of 200,000 meticais (about 3.130 dollars at the current exchange rate) as ransom”, he said.
After receiving the calls, Lole said, the victim’s mother went to the police and SERNIC began its endeavors to rescue the child.
“The suspects were arrested on 5 May, at the home of one of the individuals, in the Unidade 7 neighbourhood of Maputo city”, he said.
At the scene, a pistol was also seized, which the kidnappers claim to have acquired in neighboring South Africa.
The spokesperson also said that a third man has been charged in connection with kidnappings that took place in November and December 2023.
The individual in question tried to take his own life in the PRM cells and is currently receiving medical treatment at Maputo Central Hospital.
(AIM)
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