A disturbing video circulating on social media has once again spotlighted Nigeria’s deepening kidnapping crisis after a young man identified as John Arum Azi was seen pleading for help following his abduction along the Kaduna travel corridor.
In the footage, Azi said he was travelling to Kaduna when he was seized alongside six other passengers, bringing the total number of victims to seven. His condition in the video has sparked widespread concern online.
The clip, reportedly shared on Facebook by one of his course mates, is said to have been recorded under duress using Azi’s own phone after the kidnappers forced him to communicate their demands to his family and the public.
Visibly distressed, he appealed for urgent financial assistance to secure his release as the abductors reportedly insisted on a ₦30 million ransom.
According to him, the kidnappers threatened to kill him after he explained that he could not meet their financial demand, heightening fears for his safety.
The incident adds to growing insecurity across northern Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common, especially along major highways and rural travel routes.
States such as Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger and Kogi have continued to experience frequent abductions, with armed groups targeting commuters, villagers and students in coordinated attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from security agencies that operations are ongoing to curb the menace, incidents like this continue to raise questions about the safety of inter-state travel.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the abduction, while the victim remains in captivity.
