From Viral Video to Freedom—The Untold Story Behind Azi’s Release

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A student of the University of Jos, John Arum Azi, who spent nearly two weeks in captivity, returned to Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Wednesday at about 10pm after regaining his freedom.

The victim was initially reported to have been abducted while travelling from Jos to Kaduna. A video showing him being tortured by his captors sparked widespread reactions across the country and beyond.

His abductors were later said to have moved him from Kaduna to Zamfara, leading to speculation that he had been killed.

A brief video circulated online on Tuesday indicating that he had been freed and was seen alongside someone believed to be a relative.

His elder brother, Bulus, confirmed that Azi has been reunited with his family and is currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

Bulus explained that upon his return, Azi told the family he was not kidnapped on his way to Kaduna as widely believed, but in Zaria, where he had gone in search of a job.

According to him, “Azi had already arrived in Zaria and was on his way to meet his contact for the job he went for when he was kidnapped and taken into the bush.”

While recounting the circumstances surrounding Azi’s release, Bulus stated that the family had maintained communication with the kidnappers throughout the period of captivity, often sending money for recharge cards at their request.

At times, he said, the abductors would claim they were unwell and demand funds for medication, while the family continued negotiating the ransom, which was initially agreed at N6 million.

He further revealed that when the kidnappers became aware of crowdfunding efforts online, they raised the ransom to N15 million, but after negotiations, both parties settled at N10,315,000, which was eventually paid.

Bulus added that Azi and another abductee were transported on motorcycles from Zamfara to Zaria, with an armed member of the kidnappers trailing them after the ransom had been paid.

Upon reaching Zaria, he explained that the other abductee — a Muslim boy from Toro in Bauchi State — contacted a relative, who promptly took them to a hospital where they received immediate medical attention.

He said that following initial treatment in Zaria, the family hired a vehicle from Jos to retrieve Azi, noting that he arrived on Thursday night around 10pm and was immediately taken to JUTH for further care.

Bulus lamented that Azi’s body bore multiple marks from the severe flogging he endured during captivity.

When asked about the involvement of security agencies, he explained that the incident was reported to the police when the video first surfaced, and that the Department of State Services (DSS) also reached out at the early stage.

However, he noted that after Azi’s release, the police only contacted the family after seeing the video online and offered to provide escort, but arrived after the family had already brought him home and taken him to JUTH.

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