A wave of fear and outrage has swept across Nigeria following the abduction of a student of the University of Jos, identified as John Arum, by suspected bandits along the Kaduna–Jos highway.
According to reports, the student was kidnapped while travelling on the increasingly dangerous route, alongside several other passengers. The attackers reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦30 million for his release, escalating concerns about the growing trend of kidnapping-for-ransom in the country.
The situation took a disturbing turn after the abductors allegedly used the victim’s phone to record and circulate videos showing him being tortured. The footage, which was shared in his university group chat, shows the student visibly distressed and pleading for his life while being subjected to physical abuse.
Sources within the student community confirmed that the victim’s classmates were among the first to see the video, prompting widespread alarm. There are also concerns that his family may not have been immediately informed, as communication appears to have been limited to messages sent through his device.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation nationwide, with many Nigerians expressing anger over the deteriorating security situation, particularly on major highways in northern regions. Observers also noted that the kidnappers appeared unmasked in the footage, raising questions about the possibility of identifying and apprehending them.
In a related development, some reports indicate that negotiations may have led to a reduction in the ransom demand, though this remains unconfirmed by authorities.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from security agencies regarding the abduction or any rescue efforts. The silence has further fueled public frustration, with renewed calls for urgent government intervention to secure the victim’s release and address rising insecurity across the country.
