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Police investigate child abuse, kidnapping ring

POLICE are working alongside other investigative bodies to closely monitor child sexual assault incidents and a recent missing person case.
ACP Muliro Jumanne Muliro

DAR ES SALAAM: POLICE in Dar es Salaam are working alongside other investigative bodies to closely monitor child sexual assault incidents and a recent missing person case.

Since March authorities have been investigating four alarming reports of child molestation and defilement, three of which resulted in the deaths of the young victims.

Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Muliro Muliro vehemently refuted online rumours suggesting organ harvesting racket from the deceased children.

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“Our top priority is apprehending the perpetrators behind these heinous crimes,” said SACP Muliro.

“Two suspects are currently under investigation and we’re working closely with the community and legal authorities to identify and bring all those involved to justice.”

In a parallel investigation, the case of Adinani Mbezi, a 32-year-old resident of Kinyerezi, has taken an unexpected twist. Contrary to online specuation that Mr Mbezi was arrested by police, SACP Muliro revealed that they are actively searching for him and his connection with a series of kidnappings targeting businessmen.

SACP Muliro detailed a kidnapping incident from September 11, 2023.

The suspects, masquerading as government officials, abducted an Indian businessman named Maaz Mohamed, stealing a substantial amount of money from him.

Also read: Katavi police nets 74 suspected criminals

They released Mr Mohamed after extorting addi- tional payments.

The police attempted to apprehend the suspects the following day but were unsuccessful.

“On September 11, 2023, at 5:05 along the Bibi Titi Road area, the suspects kidnapped Maaz Mohamed, a resident of Upanga, robbing him of 357mil/- and 38,000 US dollars and threatened to kill him if he did not comply with their demands for an additional 100mil/-,” he said.

Acting on a tip, the police set a trap on September 12, 2023, near the Tanzanite Bridge, where the suspects attempted to kidnap Mr Mohamed again.

When cornered, they fled in a vehicle with registration number T 146 DPY, which they later abandoned at the Muhimbili area.

He further said the police towed the vehicle to the Salenda Bridge Police Station as evidence.

Contrary to reports, the suspects were not arrested in Mwanza and brought to Dar es Salaam, nor were they paraded at the mentioned police stations.

“The phone numbers used by the scammers extorting money from the individuals involved have been traced, but the real suspects remain at large.” SACP Muliro said.