After being liberated by a rescue team last year following nearly three decades in captivity, Omar bin Omran made a startling revelation.

The Algerian native first made news headlines in the late 1990s when, at just 17, his family reported him missing amidst the civil war in the country.

Throughout the 10-year conflict - which erupted due to military opposition to the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) assuming power after the group's victory in the first round of the 1991 parliamentary elections - thousands of citizens were abducted or killed.

Consequently, Omran's family feared the worst. He was last seen at his home in Djelfa, 27 years prior to being discovered by police just 200 yards away.

According to local reports, in May 2024, police were alerted by a 'tip-off' from another town resident, who alleged on social media that his own brother - one of Omran's neighbors - had been holding the teenager captive.

Omran's family feared he'd been kidnapped or killed as part of the civil war (Ennahar TV)

It is believed the claim arose from a family inheritance dispute.

Although police did not initially expect to find Omran at the neighbor's property, he was eventually discovered in a hay-covered cellar beneath the building - just a short distance from his family home.

Later, footage aired on Algerian television networks showed Omran, now 45, being rescued.

In the poignant clip, the man, with a full beard and wearing a dirty sweater, can be seen blinking rapidly as light hits his face.

When asked why he never called for help, Omran reportedly told authorities it was 'because of a spell that his captor had cast on him'.

The alleged kidnapper, a 61-year-old doorman from the nearby town of El Guedid, attempted to flee the scene after police raided his house but was apprehended.

Omran made a tragic confession about his captivity (Ennahar TV)

Djelfa public prosecutors stated, as per The Sun: "The Djelfa Attorney General’s Office informs the public that on May 12 at 8PM local time, it located victim Omar B, aged 45, at the residence of his neighbor, B.A., aged 61."

A court official further noted: "Following this report, the General Prosecutor of the Court of Idrisiya in the province of Djelfa instructed the National Gendarmerie to conduct an in-depth investigation, and officers proceeded to the specified house.

"The missing person was located, and the suspect, the 61-year-old homeowner, was detained.

"The Public Prosecutor's Office mandated that the victim receive medical and psychological care, and the suspect will be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office immediately after the investigation concludes."