Naivasha, Kenya| Abdikadir Bagaja, who had been missing for seven harrowing days, was found alive in Naivasha on Tuesday evening.
His ordeal, which he described as both traumatizing and emotionally torturous, began with an alleged abduction by individuals he believes to be security officers.
According to Abdikadir, the events unfolded on the morning of Monday last week as he returned home from Fajr (dawn) prayers at a local mosque.
He had left his phone at home for security reasons, a precautionary habit he maintains.
While on his way back, two armed men intercepted him, calling him “Abdi” and ordering him into a white bandwagon vehicle.
“One of them called me ‘Abdi’ and told me to get into the car,” Abdikadir recounted. Inside the vehicle were four more men, bringing the total number of his captors to six.
The vehicle sped off, marking the beginning of a seven-day ordeal that would leave him shaken and questioning why he was targeted.
“A Mistaken Identity Case”
Abdikadir was held incommunicado at an undisclosed location.
During his captivity, he was subjected to intense interrogations as his captors allegedly sought to extract information.
“They grilled me for days,” he revealed, adding that his captors later admitted it was a case of mistaken identity.
Despite their acknowledgment, the emotional and psychological damage was done.
After a week in captivity, Abdikadir was abandoned in Naivasha, miles from his home.
He described his release as sudden, with no further explanations or apologies from his abductors.
“I Am Not a Critic of the Government”
Speaking to journalists, Abdikadir expressed confusion over why he was targeted, emphasizing that he is neither a critic of the government nor an active social media user.
“I don’t understand why I was mistakenly identified,” he said, his voice heavy with frustration and disbelief.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the conduct of security operations in the country.
Abdikadir’s case adds to a growing list of citizens who have reported being abducted or detained without due process.
Calls for Justice
Human rights organizations have condemned the incident, demanding accountability and transparency from the authorities.
“No one should have to go through such an ordeal, especially under circumstances involving mistaken identity,” said a spokesperson for a local rights group.
Abdikadir’s family, who endured a week of anguish, has also called for an investigation into the matter.
“We are grateful he is alive, but the trauma he has faced is unacceptable. The authorities must ensure such incidents do not happen again,” said a family member.
As Abdikadir begins the process of healing and piecing his life back together, his case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges surrounding accountability and human rights in security operations.
Authorities have yet to comment on the incident.