The University of Jos graduate who was kidnapped, John Arum, has refuted reports that he died in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists claimed that the rumours circulating online regarding their victim’s death are untrue in a new video that was made public today, April 20, and seen by ENigeria Newspaper.
The victim was also heard stating, “Today is April 20, 2026 and I am alive,” in the video.
“They demanded 10 million naira for my release and 6 million have been paid, it is now remaining 4 million naira”, he added.
However, the terrorist cautioned that the victim might die if there was any more delay.
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that a UNIJOS graduate named Arum was kidnapped on route to Kaduna. A video of him in captivity went viral on social media, exposing the harsh circumstances of his detention and inciting global indignation at the cruel treatment he endured.
The victim’s brother, Joseph Azi, claims that the kidnappers first sought N30 million before lowering the amount to N5 million with other private information the family does not wish to reveal.
Azi claimed that after the kidnappers handed them a video showing them brutally beating his brother, the family had to reach out to specific people in order to raise money online. Azi refused to provide information when asked if the issue had been reported to security services.
Reactions to the abduction of Unijos graduate
The National Association of Nigerian Students denounced the kidnapping and gave the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government 48 hours to obtain his release, threatening to launch a statewide student protest if they didn’t.
Additionally, the Plateau State Police Command stated that it has not yet received a formal report regarding the event.
“We have not gotten that report yet. I am not aware of any report of such, though we have been seeing it. When we get a report, then we can say something about it. Mind you, when crisis just happened, you see people recycling videos. So, we have to investigate it to be sure it’s not an old video”, Alfred Alabo, the police spokesperson, had said.
The case of the John Arum, a UNIJOS graduate, is one of the many cases of kidnappings and abductions that are rampant in the county as a result of insecurity. Recently, cases reports have intensified while the federal government is not helping matters.
