Speaking on Wednesday during an appearance on Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s programme, Momodu said he escaped by trekking across the Seme border into Cotonou in the early hours of the morning.

He revealed that he left his infant son behind in Nigeria, describing the moment as deeply emotional and uncertain.

According to him, his first son was less than a year old and lying beside his wife when he made the difficult decision to leave.

“The morning I was leaving, my first son was less than one year old. He was just lying beside my wife and I was crying,” he said.

Momodu explained that he made the journey alone on foot, with no assurance of safety or what awaited him in exile.

“I travelled by foot through the Seme border into Cotonou very early in the morning,” he said.

He added that arriving in Cotonou did not bring relief, but more anxiety about his future and survival.

“When I got to Cotonou, I started crying again because I wasn’t sure where I was going, when I would get there, or if I would even survive,” he said.

Momodu said the period of exile, which lasted from 1995 to 1998, later shaped his career and contributed to the creation of Ovation International Magazine.

He noted that the experience strengthened his political views and commitment to democracy, even as he shared similar historical experiences with President Bola Tinubu, whom he now politically disagrees with.

Momodu also reflected on his early struggles, including losing his father at the age of 13 and working various jobs before rising to prominence in media and public life.

He recalled fleeing Nigeria on July 22, 1995, after his wife was alerted that security operatives were searching for him, allegedly over his link to Radio Freedom, later known as Radio Kudirat.

Mbappé came on in the 69th minute and was met with whistles from sections of the home crowd, with Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García and Franco Mastantuono all preferred in the starting attack.

The forward had missed Madrid’s previous two matches due to a thigh injury, including the defeat to Barcelona that effectively handed their rivals the La Liga title. His recent absence, combined with online criticism and a petition calling for his departure, has increased scrutiny on his role at the club.

“I’m 100% fine,” said the 27-year-old, who remains Madrid’s leading scorer this season with 41 goals in 41 appearances.

“I haven’t played because, for the coach, I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo.”

“I was ready to start. It’s his decision and it must be respected. I have no problem with Arbeloa. I just have to work harder to play ahead of them.”

However, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa rejected the suggestion, saying Mbappé was not fit enough to start after recently returning from injury.

“I spoke with him before the game, and I don’t know what he interpreted,” Arbeloa said. “A player who was not fit enough to be on the bench a few days ago should not start, especially in a non-decisive match.”

Tension around the club has been growing, with criticism directed at the management and sections of the fanbase expressing frustration during the match, including a banner demanding the resignation of club president Florentino Pérez, which was removed from the stands.

Mbappé, however, downplayed the boos from supporters, saying such reactions are part of football.

“That’s life. You can’t control people’s opinions when they are angry,” he said. “It’s part of being a Real Madrid player. You have to accept it, move forward, and try to change the situation through performance.”