The terrorists who abducted John Arum Azi, a University of Jos student, has urged social media users to contribute financially for the release of the victim.
In a video clip shared on social media by the terrorists on Monday, the kidnappers refuted claims made on social media that Arum has been killed while urging social media users to contribute financially for the released of the kidnapped victim.
Several quarters alleged on social media platforms that the UNIJOS student had been brutally killed by the terrorists after a ransom of N6 million was paid to the kidnappers.
However, in a swift disclaimer, the kidnappers on Monday described the reports as false, stating that Arum is still alive and in their custody.
Chronicle NG reports that Arum was abducted on his way to Zaria, Kaduna State, from Jos, Plateau State.
They had earlier requested an N30 million ransom. However, after negotiating with the family of the victim, the ransom was reduced to N6 million naira.
However, after the family paid the ransom, the bandits requested an extra N4 million ransom.
In the video released on Monday by the kidnappers, Arum was forced to sit on the ground while the bandits asked him to tell the public that he is still alive.
Addressing the public in the video, the terrorist kingpin, who spoke in Hausa but was translated by our correspondent, said, “This video is because many are posting and saying we have killed him after collecting ransom.
“This son of God is not dead; he is alive, but he is preparing for death if we do not get the remaining money we are asking for.”
The bandits ordered Arum to speak and debunk rumors about his death.
Arum, speaking, said, “I am still alive. It is remaining N4 million to remove me from here.”
When asked by the terrorists how much the initial ransom was, Arum said, “They said I should pay N10 million. So they paid N6 million, leaving N4 million. I am still alive. Today is 20th April, 2026. I am still alive.”
The bandits mentioned that while social media commentators kept commenting on a post about the kidnap of the victim, the kidnap kingpin, urged the social media users to contribute N10,000 each to secure his release.
Speaking in Hausa but translated by our correspondent, the bandit leader said, “the advice I will give to social media users is that those over 1000 people commenting on social media, had it been it was N10,000 they contributed with the N6 million ransom, maybe he would have gone home.”
