Eduardo Mondlane University student Agapito was kidnapped by at least three "armed and hooded" individuals on Thursday night (14), in the Polana Caniço neighborhood, Maputo city.

According to him, the crime took place near the Mary Mother of Africa Higher Institute (ISMMA), when he was trying to buy soap for his own use.

"I was stopped by a black high-cylinder car. I couldn't identify the make or the license plate. I saw three men get out of the car, they were masked and in plain clothes. I was dragged away. I tried to get away, but to no avail. They were strong men and armed," he said.

In an interview with the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD), he said that his eyes were closed and his mouth was gagged. "I couldn't see my surroundings or scream."

The kidnappers drove him for around 40 minutes to a residence. There, a fourth individual interrogated him. He wanted to know why he was taking part in demonstrations inside and outside the UEM "Tangará" university campus. The kidnappers' accomplice said that the victim was a target because he was demanding better food conditions and criticizing the delay in paying student allowances.

"They said yes, it is for this reason, this activism on your part that we are here. We were sent by higher orders to end your life," he said.

The victim said he had a terrifying time, as he had no food throughout the night.

The next day, Friday 15th, he spent the whole day under lockdown, being interrogated, threatened and left to starve.

"Fortunately, one of the people who stayed there said he was from Nampula. He promised to try and convince his colleagues that I'm not part of Podemos. They probably thought I was directly involved in these political issues. I'm going to try to convince them so that you leave here alive, because we were ordered, with superior orders, to end your life," he said.

The promise was kept and Agapito was returned on Friday night to the same place where he had been kidnapped.

"When I got to the house I saw that everyone was worried. They'd already been to the police stations and hospitals looking for me, but they couldn't find me," he said, noting that he told his colleagues what had happened.

Meanwhile, according to Agapito, on Saturday, a citizen who claimed to be from the university rectory went to the university residence to threaten him not to continue with his activism, otherwise he would lose his scholarship or be expelled from the residence. He was coerced into writing a letter to deny the kidnapping.

"Right now I'm scared," he confessed.