A graduate of the University of Jos, John Arum Azi, has recounted how suspected kidnappers allegedly lured him into captivity through a fake welding job offer after repeatedly contacting him and sending transport fare to convince him the opportunity was genuine.
The victim narrated his experience after regaining freedom following 11 days in captivity.
Azi shared the testimony during a church service in the Tudun Wada area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday.
How the job offer began
According to him, the suspected kidnappers persistently contacted him with promises of welding work before eventually sending him transport money.
“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.
Azi explained that he travelled from Jos to Zaria, Kaduna State, on April 11, 2026, believing he was heading for a genuine employment opportunity.
However, shortly after arriving in Zaria and contacting the supposed employers, he was directed to board a motorcycle heading to a village.
Journey into the forest
The graduate admitted he became suspicious during the journey but ignored the warning signs because he desperately needed work.
“I started having doubts, but I told myself maybe it was a connection that could help me. I did not know they were kidnappers,” he said.
According to him, a man later approached him claiming to be the same individual who arranged the welding job.
Azi said he was subsequently taken deep into a remote forest on a motorcycle, where another heavily armed man was already waiting.
“I saw a gun I had never seen before in my life,” he recounted.
The victim alleged that the kidnappers searched him thoroughly, seized his phone, work tools and belongings before forcing him to wear strange clothes and a face mask.
Kidnappers demanded ₦30m ransom
Azi further disclosed that he was moved through Giwa Local Government Area into forests in Zamfara State after several hours of travelling on motorcycles.
“We spent almost six hours moving through the bush on motorcycles. There was no security anywhere,” he said.
Upon arriving at the camp, he said his hands and legs were tied while the abductors contacted his family and demanded ₦30 million ransom.
“I gave them my elder brother’s number. They called him and demanded ₦30 million,” he added.
‘They called me Pastor’
The graduate also narrated how he was allegedly tortured and interrogated repeatedly about his religion.
According to him, the kidnappers fired gunshots around the camp while questioning him, forcing him to initially deny being a Christian out of fear.
“They were shooting guns everywhere and asking questions. Out of fear, I initially denied being a Christian because I thought they would kill me,” he said.
However, he said severe beatings later forced him to cry out “Jesus,” exposing his faith to the abductors.
“While they were beating me, I suddenly shouted ‘Jesus.’ That was when they discovered I was a Christian,” he said.
Azi revealed that the kidnappers subsequently nicknamed him “Pastor” throughout his stay in captivity.
Release after negotiations
According to him, the abductors later reduced the ransom demand from ₦30 million to ₦6 million after negotiations with his family.
However, he alleged that the kidnappers still delayed his release after receiving the money and demanded an additional ₦4 million.
“They started beating me again and said my family should add another ₦4 million. At that point, I thought I would not survive,” he said.
Azi said support from relatives, friends and sympathisers eventually secured his release after the traumatic ordeal.
