News

Family narrates abduction, release of UniJos student, Azi

Published

4 months ago

April 24, 2026

Preport

A University of Jos student, John Arum Azi, who spent about two weeks in captivity arrived Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Wednesday at about 10pm, after regaining his freedom.

The victim was abducted while travelling to Kaduna from Jos. A video of him being tortured by his captors generated reactions across the country and beyond.

His abductors later moved Azi from Kaduna to Zamfara, prompting rumours that he had been killed.

A short video on Tuesday circulated online showing that he had been released and was in the company of someone who appeared to be his relative.

His elder brother, Bulus, confirmed that he has been reunited with the family and has been admitted to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.

Bulus said Azi told the family upon arrival that he was not abducted on his way to Kaduna as widely reported, but in Zaria, where he had gone for a job.

According to him, “Azi had already arrived in Zaria and was on his way to meet his contact for the job he went for when he was kidnapped and taken into the bush.”

Bulus, while narrating how Azi was released, stated that their family had been in touch with the kidnappers since the victim was kidnapped, saying that they were always sendingmoney to them for recharge cards upon their request.

Sometimes, he explained that they would tell them that they are sick themselves and that they should send money for their drugs, stressing that they kept negotiating the ransom, which they had earlier agreed to be N6 million.

He noted that when the kidnappers saw the crowdfunding activities online, they increased the ransom to N15 million, pointing out that they appealed to them, and eventually settled at N10,315,000, and that was what they eventually paid the kidnappers.

Azi and another abductee, he explained were transported on motorcycles from Zamfara to Zaria, with an armed member of the abductors following behind upon payment of the ransom.

Upon arriving in Zaria, Bulus also explained the other abductee — a Muslim boy from Toro in Bauchi State — contacted a relative, who rushed them to a hospital where they were immediately given drips.

He explained that after the initial Zaria treatment, they then chartered a vehicle from Jos to Zaria to bring him back, saying that Azi arrived on Thursday night at about 10pm, and was rushed to JUTH for proper treatment.

He lamented that all Azi’s body has stripes from the flogging he received from the kidnappers.

Asked whether security agencies or government officials were in contact with them during the incident, he further explained that they reported the matter to the police when the video first surfaced, and that the DSS also contacted them at the initial stage.

However, after Azi was released, he said the police only reached out after seeing the video online and offered to assist in escorting them home, but arrived after the family had already picked him up and taken him to JUTH.

News

Rufai slams Primate Ayodele for asking Tinubu to stop release of FBI documents

Published

2 hours ago

September 1, 2026

Preport

Arise News Anchor, Rufai Oseni has slammed the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, for asking President Bola Tinubu to stop the release of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, documents on his alleged drug trafficking case.

Speaking during Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ on Tuesday, Rufai questioned the role and morality of a religious leader who advises people to hide their past, especially in a national context.

He expressed concern about the impact of President Tinubu’s action on Nigeria’s reputation, suggesting that Tinubu’s past legal issues could lead to derogatory comments about Nigeria.

“Which kind of shepherd tells people to hide their past when it concerns a nation?

News

Falconets Round Off World Cup Preparations With Draw Against South Korea

Published

2 hours ago

September 1, 2026

Preport

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Nigeria’s Falconets have completed their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a 1-1 draw against South Korea U-20 in their final warm-up match in Poland.

Sports247 reports that the encounter provided Nigeria’s coaching crew with one last opportunity to assess the squad before the team begins its campaign at the global tournament.

Mary Mamudu put the Falconets ahead in the 29th minute, giving Nigeria a deserved advantage as the young West Africans looked to finish their preparations on a winning note.

South Korea, however, fought back after the interval and eventually drew level from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. Neither side could find a winning goal thereafter, leaving the two teams to share the spoils in a competitive final test.

The result means Nigeria conclude their Poland-based friendly programme with one victory and one draw, providing valuable match experience ahead of the World Cup.

The Falconets have been preparing extensively for the tournament following a successful qualification campaign in which they overcame Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, Senegal 3-1 on aggregate and Malawi 3-2 on aggregate.

Nigeria will now shift their attention fully to their opening Group F fixture against Spain on September 7. The team will subsequently face China PR on September 10 before rounding off the group stage against New Caledonia on September 13.

Nigeria remain the only African nation to have featured at every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, underlining the country’s remarkable consistency at the youth level.

The Falconets have also come agonizingly close to lifting the trophy, finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2014. Their latest campaign therefore presents another opportunity for Nigeria to pursue a first-ever world title in the competition.

The draw against South Korea will give the technical crew plenty to analyze as the final preparations are completed, particularly with the opening game against Spain now approaching.

With the warm-up fixtures behind them, the Falconets can now focus on the task ahead in Poland. The preparations are over. The World Cup journey begins on September 7.