A couple in Tabora has been arrested after allegedly kidnapping the woman’s Grade One niece and demanding a ransom from the child’s parents before police rescued the girl.
According to authorities, the suspects had already received about KSh 992,795 sent by the child’s parents but were unable to withdraw or use the money after police tracked them down and arrested them at a lodging where they were hiding with the child.
Police said the incident began when the woman reportedly visited the girl’s school and introduced herself as the child’s elder sister. She allegedly told teachers that the pupil needed to have a passport photograph taken for a bank account application and requested permission to take her home temporarily. The request was reportedly approved.
Investigators believe the woman and her husband then held the child captive and contacted her parents, demanding TZS 20 million, equivalent to about KSh 992,795. They allegedly threatened to kill the girl if the ransom was not paid.
Tabora Regional Commissioner Paul Chacha said the family reported the matter to police, prompting an immediate search. Detectives eventually traced the suspects to a lodging facility, where they arrested the couple and rescued the child after she had reportedly been held for about ten days.
Chacha condemned the incident, describing it as a disturbing crime involving close family members. He added that the suspects allegedly changed phone numbers several times and frequently switched their mobile phones on and off in an attempt to avoid being traced during ransom negotiations.
The rescued child was safely reunited with her family after the operation. During questioning, the woman allegedly admitted that financial hardship influenced their actions, claiming her husband came up with the kidnapping plan and that they hoped the ransom would improve their financial situation. Police confirmed that although the money had already been transferred, the suspects were arrested before they could access or spend it.