Dare Babalola
A student of the University of Jos, identified as John Arum, has reportedly been abducted while travelling to Kaduna, triggering widespread concern after a disturbing video showing him being assaulted by his captors surfaced online.
According to accounts circulating among students and on social media, the victim was kidnapped during transit under circumstances that remain unclear.
The situation gained urgent attention when a video—purportedly recorded using the victim’s own mobile phone—was shared in a school WhatsApp group, depicting him being subjected to severe physical abuse by the assailants.
The footage has intensified fears over the student’s safety and the escalating threat of kidnapping along intercity routes in Nigeria.
Sources familiar with the development say there has been no confirmed communication between the abductors and the victim’s family at the time of filing this report, raising concerns that his relatives may not yet be fully aware of the situation.
Unverified reports indicate that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of ₦30 million for his release. However, authorities have yet to officially confirm the demand or provide details regarding ongoing rescue efforts.
In a statement shared among students, concerned colleagues described the incident as both “heartbreaking and urgent,” calling for swift intervention by security agencies.
“This is not just a story; this is someone we know—someone we attend classes with. His life is in danger, and time is critical,” the message read.
Students and concerned citizens have since launched a coordinated effort to amplify awareness about the case, appealing to the public to disseminate verified information that could assist in locating the victim and alerting relevant authorities.
As of press time, there has been no official statement from the police or other security agencies regarding the incident.
Efforts to confirm whether the victim’s family has been contacted were also unsuccessful.
