Albert Nat Hyde, popularly known as Bongo Ideas in the Twitterverse, has finally broken his silence, sharing chilling details of an alleged abduction and torture he recently endured.
Several weeks ago, Bongo Ideas found himself in the crosshairs of state security agents, leading to his arrest. Curiously, both the police and national security agencies later disavowed any knowledge of his detention.
After days of uncertainty, he was eventually released, but not unscathed. Reports suggest he returned home in a distressed state.
In an exclusive interview with German broadcaster DW Africa, Bongo Ideas recounted the harrowing hours he spent at the mercy of individuals who claimed to be police officers.
He described being held at gunpoint, the cold metal of pistols pressed against his temple, and the ominous threat of death hanging over him. His alleged crime? Criticizing the president.
“On 14th March 2024, around 3 a.m., some men, disguised as policemen, burst into my room. They dragged me out, and I found myself staring down the barrels of their weapons. They warned me to utter my last prayers, and then they beat me mercilessly. Their chilling message: Never speak about the president,” Bongo Ideas recounted to DW News.
The incident sparked a fierce debate on social media. While some believed he had brought this upon himself, others rallied behind him, advocating for democratic channels to address his behaviour rather than resorting to threats against a fellow citizen.