Two abled young men believed to be in their mid 20s have been held hostage in an unknown location in Niger, a west African country by unidentified assailants who have flogged them mercilessly.
One of the young men Abdul Latif overheard saying he is from Tanina in Upper West was spotted with slight bruises on his shoulder and other parts of his body.
They introduced themselves briefly in a short video with other people seen at the background suspected to be part of those held hostage for numerous reasons.
Also in an audio attached, a victim directed one Alfred to pass an information to his family to raise an amount of Ghc15,000 before he can be freed else he will lose his life as the kidnappers have planned selling them.
About 300 Ghanaians are stuck and reportedly detained by the IOM in Niger in the town of Agadez in the Sahara, a hub for West African migrants traveling to Libya, Algeria and Europe.
For the past month, officials of Ghana in Niger have either refused to pick up their calls or act on their numerous messages sent to them. The detainees are complaining bitterly of the lack of proper care, not enough money, and poor food which has affected their health and they are calling on Government to come to their aid in this worrying state they find themselves.
They have reconciled to return home but when even officials of the state visit the site they pick and choose people even those who are not Ghanaians. This has made them lose hope but are desperately calling on authorities to go to their aid.
One of them Tanko, is heard on a recorded audio complaining very much of the situation they are being subjected to and the treatment meted out to them whilst reiterating the fact that ‘all efforts to get the Ghanaian representatives in Niger has proven futile and they don’t know what to do now’. He is heard complaining about ‘the nature of the food they eat, monetary issues and the need for government to come for them’.
Other people commenting on the issue suggested if they were to be successful non will call on the government to help them so they should face the law over there to serve as a lesson to others but others suggested they deserved another chance.
By: Upperwestmedia.net