By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The kidnappers of a University of Jos (UNIJOS) student, John Arum, have placed a demanded of N30 million ransom for his release.
This followed the circulation on social media of a video showing Arum’s abductors torturing him.
Newstracktoday recalls that Arum was said to have been kidnapped while travelling along the Kaduna–Jos highway, a route that has become so famous for insecurity and kidnappings.
It was gathered that Arum’s abductors used his phone to record footage of him being tortured and shared the videos on his class WhatsApp group chat.
In one of the videos that have been shared on social media, an apparently distressed Arum can be seen pleading for his life to be spared.
The development sent shockwaves among the students, some of whom took to social media to appeal for help to save their colleague.
One of the students, Ezikima Asunga identified the victim as his coursemate.
He expressed concern that Arum’s family might be unaware of his ordeal as there has been no direct line of communication with them.
The Plateau State Police Command has not publicly reacted to the student’s kidnapping.
Newstracktoday reports that the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has since expressed outrage and condemnation over the abduction of the said John Arum, a recent graduate of the University of Jos who is waiting to be mobilised for the one year National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Scheme.
In a statement on Tuesday by Comrade Olushola Oladoja, National President, NANS, he lamented the inhuman treatment Arum is being subjected to by his captors.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) expresses its utmost grief, outrage, and condemnation over the abduction of one of our own, John Arum a student of the University of Jos, who was kidnapped while traveling to Kaduna.
“Disturbing evidence of his captivity has emerged and is available in the public space with the recorded video showing the duress and inhumane conditions, brutality, and torture to which he is currently being subjected in the hands of his abductors, who have issued a ransom demand of N30 million.
“It is disturbing and highly challenging to acknowledge that such inhumane treatment can be meted out by one human to another.
“However, what is more perplexing is the apathy and weak response of our security institutions and local authorities at the state and federal levels to rising insecurity and senseless killing and abduction or citizens, including serving servicemen of our armed forces.
“The horrifying incident that has happened to John is yet another grim reminder of the steady and unacceptable decline in the safety and security of Nigerian citizens, especially students, who continue to be vulnerable targets of criminal elements across the country.
“The fact that such an atrocity could occur with such brazenness underscores and validates the alarming failure of existing security frameworks and the apparent inability or unwillingness of relevant authorities to decisively confront this crisis.
“Our question as an organisation has remained: how did our promising and great nation, Nigeria, get to this point?
“NANS unequivocally condemns this barbaric act and demands public and authorities’ attention to the psychological and physical trauma being inflicted on our colleague.
“No Nigerian student should have to endure such acts of wickedness, cruelty, and and dehumanising experience, just as no family should be left in anguish due to the negligence of those entrusted with the protection of lives and property.
“We are deeply concerned about the apparent lack of urgency and coordinated response from both the federal and state governments and security actors to address this incident and the broader insecurity plaguing the country.
“Silence, delay, or half-measures in moments when decisive and brutal actions are required only embolden perpetrators and deepen public despair and disillusionment in local authorities – which are recipes for collective opposition, civil disobedience, and civic reconsiderations of socio-political choices and alignment.
“In light of the foregoing, NANS hereby issues a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to: Immediately deploy all necessary intelligence and security resources to secure the safe and unconditional release of John Arum.
“Provide timely and transparent updates to the public and the student community on efforts being made to facilitate his rescue and decisively deal with the perpetrators.
“Intensify broader measures to combat the rising wave and proliferation of kidnappings, abduction, indiscriminate killing of citizens by non-state actors, and address of broader insecurity affecting students and citizens nationwide.
“As an organisation, out demands are bold and very clear, and failure to meet these demands within the stipulated timeframe will compel Nigerian students, under the leadership of NANS, to embark on a nationwide solidarity protest and total shutdown of socio-economic and academic activities across the country.
“This action will serve as a firm demonstration of our collective resistance against insecurity and institutional inaction.
“Under my leadership, NANS will not remain silent or stand idly while our colleagues are hunted, abducted, and brutalised. It is unacceptable and must not continue. The time for decisive action is now,” Oladoja said
