Maputo, 22 Jul (AIM) – Unidentified assailants have kidnapped yet another businessman in central Maputo.
According to the Maputo city police spokesperson, Leonel Muchina, the crime took place at about 14.30 on Saturday afternoon. The victim (whose name has not yet been given) is a Mozambican citizen of Asian origin, the son of the owner of the shop “Luxo e Brinde” on Eduardo Mondlane Avenue, in the heart of the city. Muchina said there were four kidnappers, all armed.
The attack took place less than 100 metres from a police brigade patrolling the area. Muchina said there was an exchange of fire, but this was not enough to stop the criminals escaping with their victim in their getaway vehicle.
The kidnappers surprised the victim as he was leaving another shop. They fired off several shots to scare off passers-by, before dragging their victim into a car and speeding away. Although Saturday afternoon is a busy time, when the streets are crowded, the police were unable or unwilling to stop the kidnap gang.
Hilario Lole, the Maputo spokesperson for the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic), told reporters “Yes, there was a kidnapping on Saturday afternoon. We are working with the information which we, and our colleagues from the police force (PRM) collected. We think this information is important to follow up clues”.
(AIM)
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