Heartbreaking Video Sparks Outrage as UNIJOS Student John Arum Azi Kidnapped on Kaduna–Jos Highway, Ransom Reduced to ₦5M

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A deeply disturbing incident has gripped public attention across Nigeria after a viral video showed a student of the University of Jos, John Arum Azi, in the custody of kidnappers along the dangerous Kaduna–Jos highway.

The 28-year-old Plateau indigene was reportedly abducted on April 7 while traveling from Jos to Kaduna for a work-related assignment. He was said to be traveling with six others, all of whom were also taken, raising the number of victims to seven.

The video, believed to have been recorded by the kidnappers and sent through the victim’s phone to a university WhatsApp group, quickly spread online, sparking widespread outrage, fear, and urgent calls for intervention. The footage has drawn attention to the growing insecurity on Nigerian highways, particularly in the North-Central region.

Sources revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦30 million for Azi’s release. However, following intense negotiations led by community members, the ransom has reportedly been reduced to between ₦4 million and ₦5 million.

The Afizere Youths Movement has since mobilized a fundraising effort, urging the public to contribute toward securing the student’s freedom as concerns over his safety continue to mount.

Classmates who first received the video reportedly shared it widely to alert both the public and the victim’s family, who were said to be unaware of the situation at the time. The development has triggered emotional reactions nationwide, with many Nigerians condemning the rising wave of kidnappings and the apparent lack of security on major routes.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Plateau State Police Command, authorities in Kaduna State, or the management of the University of Jos. The silence has intensified public frustration and renewed demands for urgent government action.

The Kaduna–Jos highway has long been identified as a high-risk route, with frequent reports of abductions, armed attacks, and violence targeting commuters. This latest incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved security, surveillance, and proactive measures to protect lives.

As efforts to secure his release continue, Nigerians are calling for swift intervention by security agencies. The condition of the victim remains unclear, increasing fears over his survival if urgent action is not taken.

More updates are expected as the situation develops.