How Suspected Kidnappers Lured UNIJOS Graduate With Job Offer

How Suspected Kidnappers Lured UNIJOS Graduate With Job Offer

A graduate of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), John Azi Arum, has narrated his traumatic experience after he was allegedly lured with a fake job offer, abducted, and taken to a kidnappers’ camp in Zamfara State, where he spent several terrifying days in captivity.

Arum shared his experience during a testimony session at a church in Tudun Wada, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, shortly after regaining his freedom.

According to him, the incident began on April 11, 2026, when he travelled from Jos to Zaria in Kaduna State after receiving what appeared to be a legitimate welding job offer from unknown individuals who had repeatedly contacted him by phone.

The UNIJOS graduate explained that the callers frequently communicated with him and even sent him transport fare to convince him the opportunity was genuine.

“They kept calling me, asking me to come and work for them. They even sent transport money, so I believed it was real work,” he recounted.

Arum said he arrived in Zaria believing he was heading for employment that could improve his financial situation amid Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and unemployment crisis.

According to him, after reaching Zaria, he contacted the individuals, who instructed him to continue the journey on a motorcycle toward a remote settlement.

Although he became suspicious during the trip, he said desperation for a job made him ignore the warning signs.

“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.

The graduate explained that upon arriving at the village, a man approached him pretending to be the employer who had arranged the job.

He was then taken deeper into a forested area on a motorcycle where he allegedly 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 narrated.

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According to Arum, the kidnappers immediately forced him to kneel down before searching him and confiscating his phone, luggage, and welding tools.

He said the abductors also handed him unfamiliar clothes and a face mask before transporting him through bush paths and isolated routes stretching from Kaduna State through Giwa Local Government Area into Zamfara State.

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

Arum disclosed that after arriving at the camp, the kidnappers tied his hands and legs before contacting his family and demanding N30 million ransom.

“I gave them my elder brother’s number. They called and demanded N30 million,” he said.

The victim further alleged that he was repeatedly tortured and interrogated by the abductors, who questioned him about his religion and accused him of being a Christian.

According to him, fear initially made him deny his faith because he believed the kidnappers might kill him.

“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 explained.

However, he said the situation changed after the abductors severely beat him.

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

Arum revealed that the kidnappers later nicknamed him “Pastor” throughout his captivity.

He said prayer and faith were the only things that sustained him during the ordeal.

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

According to him, negotiations between the kidnappers and his family later reduced the ransom demand from N30 million to N6 million.

However, despite receiving the payment, the abductors allegedly refused to release him immediately and demanded an additional N4 million.

“They started beating me again and said my family should add another N4 million. At that point, I thought I would not survive,” he said.

The UNIJOS graduate explained that intervention and support from relatives, friends, church members, and sympathisers eventually helped secure his freedom after several days in captivity.

He returned home traumatised but grateful to be alive.

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over the use of fake employment offers by kidnappers and criminal syndicates operating across parts of Nigeria.

Security experts have repeatedly warned young Nigerians, especially unemployed graduates and job seekers, to verify employment offers carefully before travelling to unfamiliar locations.

Analysts say kidnappers are increasingly using social engineering tactics, fake identities, transport assistance, and online recruitment schemes to lure unsuspecting victims into dangerous situations.

The case has also renewed conversations about insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship, which many observers believe continue to expose vulnerable Nigerians to exploitation by criminal groups.

Meanwhile, security agencies are reportedly investigating the incident and tracking those responsible for the abduction.

How Suspected Kidnappers Lured UNIJOS Graduate With Job Offer