Among all the content that the streaming platform offers, it’s undeniable that movies and series based on true stories are always the most popular. Such is the case with “Hijack ’93” on Netflix, the Nigerian drama trending worldwide just hours after its release.
The story revolves around the controversial 1993 Nigerian Airways hijacking, in which four teenagers, Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi, and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal, hijacked a flight as a form of social protest against the annulment of the June 12 election, which they believed undermined the rights and well-being of civilians.
As shown in the final moments of the picture, the authorities eventually arrested the hijackers, who spent nine years and four months in prison in Niger before being released. So, where are they now? Here’s everything that’s known.
The hijackers’ stories after their time in prison
While the Netflix movie indicates that little is known about the whereabouts of the four young men who hijacked the plane, the truth is that they have given numerous interviews since their release.
In the case of Richard Ogunderu, the leader of the operation, his most recent interview was on July 23 with Norywood Reporter, where the interviewer described him as well-spoken, remarkably intelligent, with beliefs larger than life, a unique sense of fashion, and walking with a cane in his 50s.
Ogunderu stated that he has no regrets about his actions and that hijacking the plane made him somewhat happy, as he saw it as the first step towards democracy. He also shared that he remains actively involved in politics, hoping to revive his beliefs in the public sphere. Additionally, the leader has plans to start a technology company that generates electricity using cell phone batteries.
The same media outlet interviewed Kabir Adenuga, a central figure in the Hijack ’93 story. He expressed his happiness about the picture being made, as it tells their story and sheds light on the political injustices in Nigeria at the time. He also mentioned that since leaving prison, he has mostly stayed in Niger and that he longs to return to Nigeria.
Adenuga now makes a living as an artist, working on various projects, from small sculptures to larger installations like aquariums and fountains. At the end of the conversation, he shared his hope that the film would inspire young people to continue the fight the hijackers started.
As for the other two, Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal, not much is known about their current whereabouts, as they have not given interviews in a long time. However, for the two who remain active in public life, their mission is as alive as ever.