A graduate of the University of Jos, John Arum, who was kidnapped by terrorists about two weeks ago, has regained his freedom.
Arum was severely tortured in viral videos by his abductors after he was taken into custody by suspected kidnappers along the Jos–Kaduna highway.
He was reportedly kidnapped alongside six other passengers while travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Kaduna State.
His release was confirmed on Wednesday by the Global President of the University of Jos Alumni Association, Gad Shamaki, who described the development as a moment of thanksgiving.
Shamaki told newsmen in Jos that the student had safely returned home and reunited with his family.
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He said: “Great news, Josites! We are relieved and grateful to share that John Arum, graduate, our fellow Josite, has been safely released and is now back home with his family.
“This is a moment of thanksgiving.
“As we celebrate this good news, let us continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers for full recovery, strength and peace in the days ahead.
“We also remember others still in similar situations and pray for their safe return.”
As of press time, the condition of the other passengers abducted alongside him remained unclear.
He disclosed that the ransom was paid in instalments due to changing demands by the abductors.
“We paid it almost three times because whenever there’s news in social media, they will increase the amount. That was what they kept doing,” he said.
He added that the final demand included an additional N4 million after an earlier payment of N6.315 million.
“Today is 11 days. The graduate was kidnapped on the 11th of April 2026 until today,” he added.
When asked whether security agencies were involved, he said the family handled the situation independently despite informing the police.
“We cannot leave him there waiting for police. It’s between us and them. And we have to do what they say we should do to be able to save a life,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau state police command had yet to issue an official statement on the development.
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