UNIJOS graduate recounts how he was kidnapped after accepting fake job offer

Graduate of University of Jos, John Arum Azi, has narrated how he allegedly fell into the hands of kidnappers after responding to what he believed was a legitimate welding job opportunity.

Speaking during a testimony at a church in Tudun Wada, Jos North LGA of Plateau State, Azi explained that the suspected kidnappers consistently contacted him and even provided transport fare, making the offer appear genuine.

According to him, he left Jos for Zaria in Kaduna State on April 11, 2026, after being informed that welding work was available. Upon his arrival, he was directed to continue the journey to a village on a motorcycle.

Azi said he began to feel uneasy during the trip but ignored his suspicions because he was desperately searching for work.

“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,” he said.

He further explained that he was eventually taken into a forest where armed men were waiting.

According to him, the abd¥ctors searched him, collected his belongings, forced him to change into unfamiliar clothes and 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 recalled.

Azi alleged that the kidn@ppers restrained him and contacted his family with a demand for ₦30 million ransom. He also claimed he was tortured and interrogated about his religion while in captivity.

“While they were be@ting me, I suddenly shouted ‘Jesus.’ That was when they discovered I was a Christian,” he added.

According to Azi, the kidn@ppers later reduced the ransom to ₦6 million but still requested an additional ₦4 million after payment had been made.

After spending 11 days in captivity, he eventually regained freedom and returned home tra¥matised but thankful to have survived the ordeal.