By: Eba Kandovazu
A Kidnapping case has been opened at Ongwediva police station, following the kidnapping of a 60-year-old retired teacher, from her homestead at Ohambungu village in Onamutai constituency, allegedly at the hands of three men and a woman who claimed to be police officers.
Oshana Nampol Spokesperson Inspector Thomas Aiyambo confirmed that the alleged kidnapping occurred on Monday around 16:00.
“The complainant, who is a retired teacher, was at home in Ohambungu Village with her housemaid when three men and a woman who introduced themselves as police officers from Ongwediva police station. After one of them showed her a card which she could not clearly see as it was far, they asked her and the Maid to go with them to Ongwediva police station so she could sign some papers,” Aiyambo stated.
According to him, the suspects further told the pensioner that MTC requested police assistance because she received calls from unregistered numbers. He said the children found in the house were locked up in a different room.
“They demanded the complainant’s car key so they could drive it, but she refused, whereafter they ordered her and the Maid to get in their White Toyota Corolla car with registration number N 762 SH before driving off to Ongwediva. Before leaving, they asked the complainant to get her ID and the Bob card and handed them to them together with their cellphones. They asked her strange questions regarding her retirement and the money she has in her accounts. Although she started doubting them to be genuine police officers, she could not do anything as she never had access to her cellphone,” Aiyambo added.
He maintained that when the suspects’ vehicle reached Ongwediva police station, it drove past the station without stopping, and when, the victim attempted to ask where they were going, they warned her to stop questioning how they operate as they were going to Oshakati police station.
“These people drove up to Okave where they just made a U-turn and proceeded to Oneshila where they dropped the victims off and gave their cellphones back. It is not clear yet if the kidnappers managed to take something from the complainant. However, when I followed up with her, she said she approached the banks to block her account and discovered that no money was withdrawn,” Aiyambo stressed.
Police say although traumatised, the victim can identify the alleged perpetrators if she sees them again.
“Their descriptions are not indicated except for the lady whom she described to be short and light in complexion. No arrests have been made yet, and police investigations continue,” Aiyambo said.
Meanwhile, the Ohakweenyanga Combined School was earlier this week robbed of valuables worth over N$ 18 000. Aiyambo says a housebreaking case has since been registered.
He said the incident occurred at an unknown time, where suspects used unidentified objects to break the school storeroom door lock as well as the kitchen door lock to gain entrance.
The stolen items are 90 plastic plates valued at N$ 1530, sports kits valued at N$ 3000, 40 steel spoons valued at N$ 1500, one deep fridge valued at N$6000 and different school textbooks for grade six valued at N$6000.00. The total value is N$18030.
“Only the deep fridge is recovered after it was abandoned in the Pan area, no arrest was made, and police investigations continue,” Aiyambo added.
Speaking to the Villager, Ohakweenyanga Combined School Principal Anastasia Eelu said that the suspects also stole printing papers, Toilet papers, a bag containing sanitary pads and many other items.
She said that they observed footprints leading up to the railway towards Evululuko.
“We suspect that the perpetrators headed to Oshakati. It appears that it is people who know the school very well because they knew exactly where to go. They even broke into the room containing our gas cylinder. I believe they wanted to steal it as well, but because it stands firm, they failed to remove it. We have suffered huge losses, and we are kindly appealing to Good Samaritans, business people included, to assist us in getting back on track. Our learners now have nowhere to eat as the plates and spoons intended for the feeding program are stolen,” Eelu said.
