Weeks after regaining his freedom, John Arum Azi has now publicly recounted the events that led to his abduction, offering a detailed account of how what began as a request for his welding services ended in captivity and ransom negotiations.
John Arum Azi said the incident started when he was contacted by individuals who posed as potential clients seeking his handiwork.
According to him, the communication appeared legitimate from the outset, as they repeatedly engaged him and even sent transport fare to facilitate his movement.
“They were the ones who contacted me. I thought it was real work for my welding and even sent me transport money, so I believed them and travelled,” he said
He explained that he travelled from Jos to Zaria based on their instructions, believing he was going to carry out a welding job.
On arrival, he was directed to a motor park where he met a man who confirmed he was the same person he had been speaking with on the phone.
“When I got there, I met the man I had been speaking with. He said he was the one. I started feeling somehow when they said we should continue on bike,
“That was when I saw a gun for the first time. I was really scared,” he stated.
At that stage, nothing seemed out of place, and he proceeded with the arrangement.
The situation changed shortly after he was instructed to continue the journey on a motorcycle. He said he began to feel uneasy when the route became unfamiliar and isolated. His suspicion grew further when another man joined them carrying a firearm.
He was then overpowered, his face covered, and transported out of Kaduna State in a journey that lasted several hours before he was taken to Zamfara State, where he was held.
While in captivity, John Arum Azi said his abductors repeatedly interrogated him, asking if he had influential contacts who could facilitate his release.
He maintained that he came from a modest background and had no powerful connections. He also explained that he was responsible for supporting his family.
When asked for his father’s contact details, he provided his brother’s number instead, stating that his father was deceased.
Negotiations for his release reportedly began at ₦30 million and were later reduced to ₦6 million. After the family raised and delivered the ₦6 million, he said the kidnappers subsequently demanded an additional ₦4 million before he was eventually freed.
He also recounted moments of intense fear during his captivity, including an episode where he was beaten and, in desperation, cried out, “Jesus!” He said that following this moment, his captors began referring to him as a pastor.
John Arum Azi was eventually released after what he described as severe t0rture, bringing an end to an ordeal that has since drawn attention following his decision to speak publicly weeks after regaining his freedom.
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