In an interview reflecting on his past, Daniel Ohikhena, now 26, revisited the shocking incident from 2013 when he stowed away in an aircraft's wheel well while it was departing from Benin City to Lagos. He shared that the act was a desperate attempt to escape the struggles he faced due to poverty and family responsibilities. Growing up in Benin City was fraught with challenges, as he was responsible for supporting his family from a young age due to the absence of his father, which placed considerable pressure on him as the eldest son.

Ohikhena's story highlights the broader issues of youth disenfranchisement and the lengths to which individuals may go to seek better opportunities. His actions were a cry for help amidst the hard realities of life in Nigeria and underscores the mental and emotional scars that such experiences can leave behind. Despite surviving the perilous journey, the psychological implications of his choice still haunt him, showcasing the complex interplay between desperation and hope that drives people to take extreme measures.

Now looking back on that fateful decision, Ohikhena expresses that he is still dealing with the trauma from his experience, indicating the need for better support systems for young people facing similar struggles. His revelations serve as a wake-up call to address the root causes of youth migration and consider the social, economic, and familial pressures contributing to these life-altering decisions.