Kidnappers Sent Me Transport Fare To Prove Fake Job Was Real — UNIJOS Graduate

Jos,Plateau State– A graduate of the University of Jos, John Arum Azi, has recounted how suspected kidnappers allegedly used a fake welding job offer to lure him into captivity, where he spent 11 harrowing days in the forests of Zamfara State.

Azi narrated his ordeal during a testimony at a church in Tudun Wada, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday, describing how the abductors persistently contacted him by phone, promised him welding work and even sent him transport fare to make the offer appear genuine.

According to him, the nightmare began on April 11, 2026, after he travelled from Jos to Zaria in Kaduna State believing he had secured a legitimate welding job.

“They kept calling me, asking me to come and work for them. They even sent transport money, so I believed it was a real job,” Azi said while recounting the incident before the congregation.

The UNIJOS graduate explained that after arriving in Zaria, he contacted the individuals who had invited him for the supposed job. He said they instructed him to board a motorcycle heading to a village.

Punch reports that he became suspicious during the journey, he ignored the warning signs because of his desperation to secure employment.

“I started having doubts, but I told myself maybe it was a connection that could help me. I did not know they were kidnappers,” he said.

Azi said shortly after arriving at the village, a man approached him and claimed to be the person who had been communicating with him about the welding work.

According to him, he was thereafter taken deeper into a remote forest on a motorcycle where he encountered another heavily armed man waiting for them.

“I saw a gun I had never seen before in my life. The man told me not to be afraid and claimed the person was a hunter, but deep down I knew something was wrong,” he recounted.

He said the abductors immediately forced him to kneel, searched him thoroughly and confiscated his belongings, including his phone, bag and welding tools.

Azi further disclosed that the kidnappers handed him strange clothes and a face mask to wear before transporting him through forests and isolated routes from Kaduna State into Zamfara State.

“We spent almost six hours moving through the bush on motorcycles. There was no security anywhere,” he said.

According to him, upon arriving at the kidnappers’ camp, his hands and legs were tied before the abductors contacted his family to demand ransom.

“I gave them my elder brother’s number. They called him and demanded N30m,” he said.

The graduate narrated how he endured repeated torture and interrogation while in captivity, adding that the kidnappers frequently questioned him about his religion.

“They were shooting guns everywhere and asking questions. Out of fear, I initially denied being a Christian because I thought they would kill me,” he said.

However, he said severe beatings from the abductors eventually forced him to reveal his faith.

“While they were beating me, I suddenly shouted ‘Jesus.’ That was when they discovered I was a Christian,” he added.

According to him, the kidnappers subsequently nicknamed him “Pastor” throughout his stay in captivity.

Azi said prayers and faith in God sustained him during the period of captivity.

“The only thing I kept doing was praying and asking God to save me,” he said.

He further explained that after several rounds of negotiations, the abductors reduced the ransom demand from N30 million to N6 million.

However, despite allegedly receiving the N6 million ransom payment, the kidnappers reportedly refused to release him immediately and demanded an additional N4 million from his family.

“They started beating me again and said my family should add another N4m. At that point, I thought I would not survive,” he said.

According to him, interventions and support from relatives, friends and sympathisers eventually secured his release after 11 days in captivity.

The UNIJOS graduate said he returned home traumatised by the experience but grateful to be alive.