India works to bring home four Punjab nationals rescued in Ethiopia

India is working to facilitate the safe return of four Indian nationals from Punjab who were kidnapped in Ethiopia last month and rescued by local law enforcement agencies a few days later, the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa said on Thursday, according to news agency Press Trust of India.

The four were kidnapped on the night of September 25, 2026, and rescued by Ethiopian law enforcement agencies on October 1. “All four are safe,” the embassy said in a post on X.

The embassy said it had remained in constant contact with local authorities to facilitate their rescue and ensure their well-being.

“Following the grant of consular access, consular officers from the Embassy met the nationals on October 14, 2026, and provided necessary consular assistance, including Indian food and other basic amenities,” the mission said. “The Embassy is making all necessary efforts to facilitate their safe return to India.”

Further details about the circumstances of the kidnapping, the identities of the four Indians and their whereabouts were not immediately available.

The development came days after three cousins from Gujarat, who were kidnapped in Ethiopia while trying to reach the United States through an illegal route, were safely released following negotiations by Gujarat Police.

The three had left for the US on September 20, a police official told Press Trust of India. Their families later alleged that they had been held captive in Ethiopia and that their kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore.

Langhnaj police station inspector A M Gehlot told Press Trust of India that police negotiated with the alleged kidnapper through a local agent, following which the three were released. He said no ransom was paid. The three returned to India on October 1.

The Indian Embassy is now assisting the four rescued nationals from Punjab and taking steps to facilitate their safe return to India.

With PTI Inputs

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