John Arum Azi Returns to God in Thanksgiving After Release from Kidnappers
St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Rukuba Road, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, received people from all walks of life on Sunday to join John Arum Azi and his family for a thanksgiving service in appreciation to God after his release from a kidnappers’ den.
You will recall that Arum John Azi, a student of the University of Jos, was kidnapped and taken to Zamfara State, where he spent over ten days until a ransom of over ten million naira was paid.
Narrating his ordeal, he said:
“I was called on a Thursday with a strange number to go and fix a malfunctioning keyboard in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. I was reluctant at first, but after the caller insisted, I agreed to go.
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He sent transport fare, and the next morning, Friday, I set off for Zaria. While at the park, I called the number, but it was not connecting. I decided to board a vehicle with the hope that as we moved, the number would go through.
I later got through to him on the phone and spoke with the driver about where to drop me. When I reached Zaria, they sent a motorcyclist to pick me up and take me to someone they said was his brother. The brother was supposed to take me to their house. I asked him about the nature of the problem, but he insisted I should just come. He said that even if I couldn’t finish on time, there was a lodge where I could spend the night.
When we stopped, the so-called brother joined us and asked me to sit in the middle of the bike. I refused, saying that as a stranger, I should sit at the back, and he agreed. We began moving toward the bushes, and I raised an alarm.
He said they lived in a village. As we advanced, I saw someone with a sophisticated rifle and asked why. He replied that it was their vigilante officer. At that moment, I knew I had been kidnapped.
I was reading signboards as we moved. They first took me to Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State from Zaria, and then to Zamfara State.
According to him, we drove for over six hours. They removed my clothes and changed them, hooded me, and told me I had been kidnapped. They asked me to call my father, but I told them I was an orphan.
They used my phone to call my elder brother and demanded 30 million naira as ransom. They threatened to kill me and showed me a big hole where they said they would dump my body if my family failed to pay. I was beaten mercilessly.
They brought food for us sometimes and would test it before allowing us to eat. They later brought another person they had also kidnapped.
Initially, my family paid 6.1 million naira, but they demanded an additional 4 million naira.”
Speaking to the press at the celebrant’s family compound, the National President of the Afizere Youth Movement, Comrade Vincent Nyam, who had worked tirelessly to ensure Arum’s release, said he was delighted.
He explained that the thanksgiving was to thank God and all Nigerians for their solidarity, love, and support during the trying period.
“We are here today to celebrate. You can see how we are rejoicing, and we return all glory to God,” he said.
Comrade Vincent frowned at those misusing social media and called on Afizere youths and other youths to refrain from using it to sow discord.
He said the negative use of social media had complicated negotiations with the kidnappers.
He urged youths to unite, join associations, and relate positively with one another. He also appreciated ACCDA for their support and advice.
The thanksgiving began in the church, with family members joined by people from far and near.
Dignitaries present included Adagwom Emmanuel Ajik, Adagwom of Jos Izere Chiefdom; district heads and other traditional rulers; and Justice Pius Damulak, former Chief Judge of Plateau State.
Various cultural groups performed, including the Afizere Asharwa Cultural Dancers and Arin Izere. Goodwill messages came from the University of Jos, the church, and other well-wishers.
The highlight of the event was the blessings from traditional rulers and the celebrant’s uncles.
Clergymen offered special prayers for God’s guidance and blessings upon the family.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 18TH 2026)
