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DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The youngest billionaire in Africa, kidnapped a week ago in front of a luxury hotel in Tanzania, has returned home safely, the family conglomerate he directed on Twitter on Saturday said.
Billionaire Mohammed Dewji, 43, chief executive of the METL group, was arrested as he arrived for a morning training session in Dar es Salaam, the economic capital, last week.
"I went home safely," METL's Twitter account published. The company also cited thanking people who had worked for his release, including the police.
He did not give details on how he had been released nor on the payment of a ransom. Forbes estimates his net worth at $ 1.5 billion, making him the 17th richest man in Africa and the youngest billionaire in Africa.
Mr. Dewji's family had offered a reward of one billion Tanzanian shillings (US $ 440,000) for information leading to his release.
The country's environment minister said the kidnappers released Mr. Dewji by dropping him in a field in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The kidnapping of Dewji, who has been a deputy in the past, has caused consternation in this country of East Africa, which is one of the most prominent leaders.
Minister of the Environment and former colleague of Mr. Dewji in Parliament, January Makamba, also tweeted on Saturday morning that he had spoken with him and that he was safe.
Mr. Makamba testified that Mr. Dewji was injured on his hands and feet by his captors.
Mr. Dewji was abducted by two masked gunmen as he arrived at the hotel to exercise, police said Thursday. The men fired in the air before going away, said regional police commander Lazaro Mambosasa, according to the Associated Press.
According to the local Mwananchi newspaper, Major Mambosasa reportedly told the police that 12 suspects were in detention, including the hotel security officer, the AP said.
The authorities have tightened security at all border points and airports to ensure that the two men watched by the surveillance video do not sneak into the East African nation, said Dar es Salaam's regional commissioner. Paul Makonda.
The METL Group is involved in a wide range of manufacturing, agriculture, transport, infrastructure, food processing and telecommunication activities in 11 African countries.
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