A wave of outrage has followed the abduction and brutal torture of a student of the University of Jos, identified as John Arum, who was kidnapped alongside six others while travelling from Jos to Kaduna.
The victims were reportedly intercepted by suspected terrorists along the highway, with the attackers demanding a ransom of N30 million for Arum’s release.
Disturbing footage circulating online shows the student being severely beaten by two armed men wielding a large stick. In the video, the assailants repeatedly flog him while ignoring his pleas for mercy.
At a point during the assault, the attackers placed a heavy stone on his back, forced him to lie face-down, and pressed a rifle against his head, intensifying the ordeal in what appeared to be a calculated act of terror.
“Please don’t kill me… I’m begging you,” Arum was heard saying, his voice filled with fear as the assault continued.
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The kidnappers later compelled the visibly weakened student to appeal publicly for help, even as the beating persisted. In the footage, he disclosed that seven travellers were abducted and urged that the ransom be paid to secure his freedom.
Sources indicate that the video was recorded using the victim’s mobile phone and sent to his coursemates through a group chat, seemingly to pressure his family and associates into raising the demanded sum.
As of the time of reporting, the condition and whereabouts of the other six victims remain unclear, with no confirmation on whether separate ransom demands have been issued.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Nigerians, many of whom are calling on security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.