Three years ago I left the Gambia and headed to Libya where I stayed for three years. I spent two years in jail. Very soon, I have been kidnapped by the Asma Boys and taken to a prison ruled by them. These two years have been very difficult. In jail they beat me and tortured me because they wanted money to pay my ransom. I did not have any money and I had no one to ask for it. So I was imposed hard labour, without receiving any pay. For two years I have been working as a welder. Conditions were inhumane. We were not given any food nor water for hours and no protections were provided. My body is full of scars. The incandescent iron injured my body. I was saved by music. With my headphones, I was no longer there. And I could carry on. One day I was wounded more seriously which allowed me to escape. It was about 1 year ago. I knew there was a place called street 27 where one could work and be paid . I stayed there for 1 year. Then I met the Asma boys again. They wanted to kidnap me and bring me to jail. I managed to escape but while I was running they shot me. The bullet crossed my hip. This happened two weeks ago. Then I managed to embark.
This testimony was gathered at the Pozzallo Hotspot on October 16th 2017