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November 27, 2018

The kidnappers of the Italian volunteer "wanted a flash ransom, but Silvia had no money or the phone. Someone then wanted to let her go, but the others refused." This is the testimony collected by the Ansa agency on the dramatic moments that led to the kidnapping of the Italian cooperator Silvia Romano: speaking is James, a Nigerian boy whose education is supported by the non-profit organization for which Silvia Romano works, witness of the dramatic minutes of the kidnapping. Meanwhile, encouraging news comes from the Kenyan police: "We are getting closer".

The witness: "The kidnappers wanted the money"
The kidnappers of the Italian volunteer "wanted a flash ransom, but Silvia had no money or the phone. Someone then wanted to let her go, but the others refused". He tells ANA James, a Nigerian boy whose education is supported by the non-profit organization for which Silvia Romano works, witness of the dramatic minutes of the kidnapping. "Silvia cried desperately, screamed 'help me' as she was dragged away by the armed men. There were at least 4 of us, we followed them but they started shooting to keep us away. We only had knives."

"If they had been terrorists they could have made a massacre"
 "If they had been Somali Shabaabs or Islamic extremists they could have been massacred, killing whoever they were in front of," insists James. "Most of the inhabitants were in the 'guest house' which stands in front of the structure, one of the few non-mud houses in the village, where for years volunteers from all over the world were hosted." It was enough to throw a bomb there "and not an artisanal device to say the least that detonated in the middle of the road.

Chakama, vulnerable target
James confirms, together with the village chief and many other boys, that Chakama "has not seen any episode of violence for years. It is a quiet place ", where it is evident that life takes place in the few square meters of the 'square'. This is why, according to the residents," this group of criminals hungry for easy money has chosen to strike in the village " : in Chakama there is nothing, if not the few things set up by the inhabitants and the NGOs. There is no military or police presence, "after all no one has ever felt the need".

Some wanted to leave it free
According to eyewitnesses, the group of kidnappers after dragging the girl by force away from the village "ordered her to pay an immediate ransom: they told her to call in Italy and get the money. But the phone was left at home, and she didn't even have a penny. "One of them" spoke English and translated to the others "and when they realized that they couldn't have the money right away" they thought to free her, but some refused saying 'that we did do then?'. "Subsequently, in a manner nothing short of incredible, and the group managed to vanish, getting help from" someone in motion. "

the police," we are approaching "
Meanwhile the authorities are encouraging information. "We are getting closer. Everything indicates that we have almost reached the kidnappers, "said regional Kenyan police commander Noah Mwivanda, interviewed by Ntv television in a service published on Youtube." We expect to find "Silvia Romano" alive ", he reiterated. The police He also expressed concern that some local residents are collaborating with the kidnappers by giving them refuge, food and water.

The searches by Silvia Romano, reports the Ntv itself, have received a push forward thanks to the information obtained by the three suspects currently held in police custody. The range of searches has now been restricted to a specific area of ​​the forest, with access points patrolled by law enforcement.

The point of the correspondent from Chakama, Enzo Nucci