British national and several Turkish citizens abducted in Kenya

A British nationwide has informed the BBC that he and several other Turkish residents have been kidnapped within the Kenyan capital Nairobi by masked males on Friday, with 4 of the Turkish residents nonetheless lacking.

Necdet Seyitoğlu, who lived within the UK for 18 years earlier than transferring to Kenya two years in the past, stated he was launched after eight hours when he confirmed his alleged abductors a replica of his British passport.

In an announcement, the UK Overseas Workplace stated they have been “offering consular help to a British man and his household following an incident in Kenya”.

Kenyan police informed the BBC they have been investigating a “kidnapping incident” after a bike driver witnessed the kidnapping.

In keeping with the report, two autos intercepted and blocked from the entrance and behind a silver saloon automotive with two occupants.

“About eight individuals armed with weapons emerged from the 2 autos, pulled out the 2 occupants” and drove off with them, stated Kenyan police spokeswoman Resila Onyango.

“Later, one Yusuf Kar, a British nationwide of Turkish origin” reported to a close-by police station and recognized the kidnapped males as Hüseyin Yeşilsu and Necdet Seyitoğlu.

Turkish authorities haven’t but commented on the incident.

Mr Seyitoğlu, an schooling marketing consultant, gave further particulars of what he stated occurred throughout his kidnapping ordeal, a few of which differ from the police account.

He described a white SUV intercepting his automotive as he was leaving dwelling for work with a buddy at 07:30 native time (04:30 GMT).

The pair have been blindfolded and handcuffed by 4 armed males earlier than being pushed off to an unknown location, he stated.

Repeated requests about what was occurring went unanswered, he stated.

“We requested them, are you able to present your identification? The place we’re going? However we did not get any form of clarification,” the 49-year-old stated.

“It was the worst expertise of my life,” Mr Seyitoğlu added.

He stated he was finally in a position to persuade his alleged abductors that he was a British citizen by exhibiting them a replica of his passport on this cellphone.

After taking a photograph, the boys acquired a name that sounded prefer it was an instruction to launch him, he stated.

The masked males, who Mr Seyitoğlu stated spoke Swahili, then dropped him off at a spot he didn’t recognise and gave him 1,000 shillings ($7.50; £6) for transport again dwelling, however refused to return his cellphone and laptop computer.

Throughout this time, Mr Seyitoğlu stated his spouse reported him lacking, and knowledgeable the British Excessive Fee.

Mr Seyitoğlu stated six different folks he knew – all Turkish residents – have been additionally kidnapped in the identical method from totally different areas in Nairobi.

An area regulation agency, Mukele & Kakai, stated in an announcement that it was appearing on behalf of 4 males who have been registered refugees and warned airways in opposition to permitting them to be introduced on board.

“Our shoppers have been kidnapped in Kenya with the intention of being deported again to Turkey the place they’re victims of political victimisation,” the legal professionals’ letter, seen by the BBC, stated.

This was echoed by the marketing campaign group Amnesty Worldwide, whose Kenya spokesman stated he was “deeply involved by experiences that seven asylum seekers from Türkiye have been kidnapped on Kenyan soil”.

The UN’s refugee company, UNHCR, informed the BBC it was “conscious of experiences and can present extra info as soon as we have now it”.

Extra reporting by Natasha Booty