A man identified as Daniel Sebit from the National Security Service in Rumbek has been arrested for kidnapping a Sudanese businessman and demanding ransom, authorities said.

The Sudanese businessman, Adom Bara, was kidnapped on the night of 29 March from his home in Rumbek town and was kept for more than 20 days in the bushes of Wulu County by his kidnaper.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Wednesday, the acting minister of information and communication in Lakes State, William Kocji Kerjok, confirmed the incident but said the Sudanese businessman was rescued on Tuesday by the National Security. 

“Yes, that information is correct. A Darfuri businessman has been kidnapped and kept in the Wulu area for more than 20 days. Security people went and were able to arrest them so the guy is free now and the kidnappers have been detained and investigations are going on,” Minister Kocji said. “The reason for the kidnap is not known but the arrested suspect will explain more why they kidnapped him. They were demanding more than 20 million SSP to free him.”

The chief inspector of police in Wulu County, Machar Maker Riel, said the suspect identified as Daniel Sabit working with the National Security Service kidnapped the Sudanese businessman and demanded ransom. 

He said the suspect was arrested and taken to Rumbek town while the rescued businessman was taken to hospital. 

"This is a criminal act committed. We have to inform you that Adom Bara who was kept by the kidnappers in the bushes of Wulu County is alive and safe. He will soon be okay when he comes out from the hospital where he is receiving treatment,” Police inspector Machar said.

“He was kidnapped and kept in Wulu. He was traced through the mobile phone network. The suspect, Daniel Sebit, who belongs to the National Security Service, was the one who kidnapped and was feeding him in captivity,” he added.

The chairman of the Darfur business community in Rumbek, Abubakar Jima Sharara, confirmed the kidnapped Adom Bara was now free and receiving treatment in the hospital. 

“On 29 March, A Sudanese citizen called Adom Bara was kidnapped within Rumbek in the evening. He was put at gunpoint and kidnapped by people riding a Senke motorcycle. We reported it to the police and they tracked the phone to Wulu and traced the criminals to Wulu. They kept calling and demanding a ransom of 1.5 million SSP and they kept increasing the amount,” Sharara said.