Kidnappers release UNIJOS student after collecting N6m ransom

A University of Jos student, John Arum Azi, has regained his freedom after his family paid a negotiated ransom of N6 million to secure his release from kidnappers who had held him captive for 10 days.

Azi, a student of early childhood education, was abducted while travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Zaria in Kaduna State.

His release was confirmed on Wednesday through a video shared by his family on social media, showing him reunited with loved ones.

His ordeal had drawn widespread attention after a disturbing video surfaced online showing him being brutalised by his captors, who initially demanded N30 million and threatened to kill him if payment was not made.

Following protracted negotiations, the demand was reduced to N6 million, an amount reportedly raised through contributions from concerned Nigerians.

However, the abductors allegedly demanded an additional N4 million even after receiving the initial payment, raising further concerns about the conduct of the kidnappers during the negotiations.