| Reported: 20 March 2025 | Location: Ali Doro, Oromia, Ethiopia |
Incident Details
On March 20, 2025, armed men abducted dozens of passengers from a bus traveling from Addis Ababa to Debre Markos in Ali Doro, Oromia, Ethiopia. The kidnapping claimed at least one life and prompted an exchange of gunfire with local security forces. Authorities are investigating the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) as a potential orchestrator of this incident.
The incident took place in Ali Doro, Oromia, (142 km north of the capital, Addis Ababa) along the primary route connecting Addis Ababa to Debre Markos, a corridor often disrupted by regional instability.
Figure 1: Location Of Incident
Comment.
The abduction in Ali Doro reflects the escalating security challenges in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) emerging as a key suspect. Established in 2018 as a breakaway faction of the Oromo Liberation Front, the OLA pursues self-determination for the Oromo, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group. The group has a documented history of targeting civilians and security forces through kidnappings, bombings, and ambushes, often focusing on transportation routes to exert influence or secure ransoms.
The rise in Kidnapping in Ethiopia has reached critical levels. According to The Guardian, abductions in Oromia have surged, impacting communities and infrastructure alike. Ransom demands can be staggering, with a notable October 2023 case involving power company employees fetching up to $1 million per victim, as reported by ISS Africa. Public transport, inherently exposed due to limited security, remains a prime target. This incident follows a July 2024 mass abduction of over 100 university students in Oromia, underscoring the persistent threat to travelers in the region.
Globally, similar risks persist in High-Risk Areas. In Pakistan, insurgents in Baluchistan hijacked a train on March 11, 2025, killing 21 hostages before releasing others, according to a widely circulated news outlet. In Nigeria, a 2022 train attack near Kaduna saw dozens kidnapped, with ransoms amounting to millions. World Metrics data from 2019 cites 22,103 kidnappings worldwide, with Nigeria and Mexico logging over 1,000 and 1,300 cases in 2023, respectively. These incidents highlight the pressing need for businesses to adopt robust Travel Risk Management protocols to safeguard operations and personnel.
Assessment.
The Ali Doro abduction underscores a broader, global imperative for Business Travel Safety, extending far beyond Ethiopia’s borders. Companies operating in or near High-Risk Areas, whether in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, face escalating threats to their employees and assets. In Ethiopia, the vulnerability of public transport in Oromia exemplifies how regional instability can disrupt business continuity. However, this challenge is not isolated. From cartel-driven abductions in Mexico to insurgent attacks in Afghanistan and separatist violence in Myanmar, the risks to corporate travellers are pervasive and demand a strategic response.
Effective Travel Risk Management is essential for businesses to mitigate these threats and fulfil their employee duty of care. This begins with comprehensive pre-travel risk assessments, enabling companies to evaluate specific dangers, such as Kidnapping in Ethiopia or armed ambushes in Pakistan. Employees must be equipped with training to enhance situational awareness, ensuring they can identify and respond to potential hazards. Secure transportation options, including vetted drivers or armoured vehicles, are critical in conflict zones where public transit is
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