By Paul Joseph
A graduate of the University of Jos, John Arum Azi, has narrated how he was allegedly kidnapped after accepting what he believed to be a genuine welding job offer.
Azi shared the experience during a testimony at a church in Tudun Wada area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, explaining that the suspected kidnappers repeatedly contacted him and even sent transportation fare to convince him the offer was legitimate.
According to him, he left Jos for Zaria in Kaduna State on April 11, 2026, after being informed that welding work was available.
He said that upon arriving in Zaria, he was directed to continue the journey to a village on a motorcycle.
“They kept calling me, asking me to come and work for them. They even sent transport money, so I believed it was a real job,” Azi recalled.
The graduate explained that although he became suspicious during the trip, his desperation to secure employment made him ignore the warning signs.
Azi alleged that he was eventually taken into a forest where armed men were waiting for him. He claimed the abductors searched him, confiscated his belongings, forced him to change clothes and made him wear a face mask before transporting him through bush paths into Zamfara State.
“We spent almost six hours moving through the bush on motorcycles. There was no security anywhere,” he said.
He further alleged that the kidnappers demanded a ₦30 million ransom from his family and subjected him to torture and interrogation while in captivity.
“While they were beating me, I suddenly shouted ‘Jesus.’ That was when they discovered I was a Christian,” he added.
According to Azi, the ransom was later reduced to ₦6 million, although the abductors allegedly demanded an additional ₦4 million after the payment had already been made.
He said he eventually regained freedom after spending 11 days in captivity and has since returned home traumatised but thankful to have survived the ordeal.
Leave a Reply