Ethiopia attack kills at least 14, NGO and witness say

An armed group killed at least 14 people and abducted more than 10 others in Walga town in central Ethiopia earlier this week, an NGO conflict tracker and a resident told AFP.

Jalale Getachew Birru of ACLED said a group identifying itself as the Fano militia attacked the town, about 150 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, at around 3:00 pm local time.

Birru said between 14 and 17 people were killed and more than 10 were abducted. A resident, who asked not to be named, said 16 people were killed and around 16 women and children remained in captivity.

The resident said ransom demands ranged from 150,000 to 800,000 birr, roughly $918 to $4,900.

Birru said attacks by the group were common in the border area between the Central Ethiopia and Oromia regions and often involved ransom demands. She said the group was mainly involved in criminal activity and was not recognised by Fano leaders.

Ethiopia is facing armed groups opposing federal forces in Oromia and Amhara, while other regions are also experiencing conflict. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission warned in September 2024 of increased kidnappings by organised gangs and some members of government security forces.