Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has strongly condemned the abduction of a University of Jos (UNIJOS) student, John Arum (also referred to as John Arum Azi or John Azi), who was kidnapped along the Jos-Kaduna highway while traveling for work.
The incident, which occurred around April 13, 2026, has sparked widespread outrage after disturbing videos allegedly recorded by the abductors and sent via the victim’s phone to his class group chat circulated online. In the footage, Arum is seen in distress, pleading for his life as he is subjected to severe torture and beatings. He reportedly denied being Christian in an attempt to ease the abuse, but the mistreatment intensified. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of ₦30 million (later reportedly reduced in some accounts to ₦5 million) for his release, with one video indicating the captives may now be held in Zamfara State. Arum was allegedly taken alongside six other individuals.
Sheikh Gumi described the act as barbaric and invoked curses on the perpetrators, urging Nigerians to reject such criminality. He called for a non-kinetic approach—emphasizing dialogue, negotiation, and addressing root causes of banditry and insecurity—rather than relying solely on military force to resolve the crisis. Gumi’s stance aligns with his long-held views that pure kinetic operations often exacerbate the problem, while engagement could lead to the safe release of victims without further bloodshed.
The abduction has drawn sharp reactions from various quarters. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the incident, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal and Plateau State governments, and threatened nationwide protests if Arum is not rescued swiftly. The University of Jos management suspended all unofficial fundraising efforts for the victim’s release, citing fears of exploitation by scammers, while assuring that official rescue operations are underway.
Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) and other groups have also demanded urgent intervention from security agencies, with many Nigerians questioning the slow response despite reports that some abductors’ identities may be known.
This case highlights the persistent insecurity along major highways in northern Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative criminal enterprise affecting students, travelers, and communities. Families often face agonizing choices between paying huge ransoms or risking the lives of loved ones.
Sheikh Gumi’s intervention adds a prominent voice to the growing calls for a more holistic strategy against banditry—one that combines intelligence-led operations with socio-economic measures and dialogue to stem the tide of abductions that continue to terrorize ordinary citizens.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation of Arum’s release, and security agencies are yet to provide detailed updates on ongoing efforts to secure his freedom and apprehend the culprits. The incident serves as another grim reminder of Nigeria’s deepening kidnapping crisis and the urgent need for effective, sustainable solutions.
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