Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed Dewji, who was kidnapped over a week ago outside his hotel gym, has been found.
A message from his company METL Group on Saturday morning said the 43-year-old is safe and sound.
““I thank Allah that I have returned home safely. I thank all my fellow Tanzanians, and everyone around the world for their prayers. I thank the authorities of Tanzania, including the Police Force for working for my safe return.” — Mohammed Dewji (3:15AM, Dar es Salaam),” the message reads.
The company however did not provide more details about how he was freed or got away from his captors.
Police reports indicate that he was found dumped at the Gymkhana grounds in Dar es Salaam.
A video released at around 5am on Saturday showed a slightly shaken Mohammed Dewji.Tanzania’s Environment Minister January Mkamba said he had spoken to Dewji but noted he had bruises on his hands and feet from being tied up by his kidnappers.
TAARIFA: Kamanda SACP LAZARO MAMBOSASA ATHIBITISHA KUPATIKA NA KWA MFANYABIASHA MOHAMED DEWJI.
Mo apatikana akiwa mzima wa afya.
Alitupwa viwanja vya Gymkhana usiku wa kuamkia tarehe 20.10.2018 aeleza baada ya kutekwa tarehe 11.10.2018. #KwanzaHabari 1/2 pic.twitter.com/6PYCyONg4v— Kwanza TV (@kwanza_tv) October 20, 2018
Tanzania’s Environment Minister January Mkamba said he had spoken to Dewji but noted he had bruises on his hands and feet from being tied up by his kidnappers.
“Nimemuona na kuongea kwa kirefu na Mohammed Dewji. Ni mzima wa afya isipokuwa ana alama za kufungwa kamba mikononi na miguuni. Mnamo saa nane usiku, watekaji waliamua kumtupa kwenye maeneo ya viwanja vya Gymkana. Naamini Polisi watatoa taarifa za ziada kuhusu kilichojiri,” he said.
Dewji’s family had offered a reward of 1 billion Tanzania shillings (Ksh.44million) for information leading to his release.
METL Group is involved in a diverse range of manufacturing, farming, transport, infrastructure, agroprocessing and telecoms businesses spanning 11 African countries.
Additional report from Reuters
